Protein powder prices in Australia are rising

Retail prices for whey-based protein powders in Australia have risen as demand for protein-enhanced products has grown; whey commodity prices climbed sharply between 2024 and 2025 while some other dairy prices, such as butter, fell.

Protein powder prices in Australia have increased as more consumers purchase protein-enhanced foods and supplements. A stronger gym culture and broader interest in high-protein products have lifted demand beyond traditional fitness users. Whey, a byproduct of cheesemaking used to make many protein powders, has become scarcer and more expensive. At the same time, some other dairy commodity prices have fallen or eased. Key facts: - Bulk Nutrients raised its whey protein concentrate price from $44 to $49 and whey protein isolate from $58 to $68, increases of about 11.36% and 17.24% respectively. - Bulk Nutrients' CEO, Jess Crowley, said the cost of whey has more than doubled over the past five years and that there is not enough whey to meet current demand. - ANZ analysis using the USDA whey 34% concentrate index found whey prices rose about 52% from August 2024 to December 2025, while Oceania cheddar rose about 8% in the same period. - Rabobank reported milk drinking sales fell by 1.1% in the last three months of 2025 while high-protein dairy products showed double-digit growth; Rabobank also noted butter prices fell about 30% since mid-2025. - Industry sources pointed to several contributing factors, including higher costs of farming cattle, climate influences, global economic volatility, a weak Australian dollar, and anecdotal links to increased use of GLP-1 weight-loss medications affecting demand for protein while people eat less. Summary: Retail prices for whey-based protein products have risen well above Australia’s headline inflation as suppliers and manufacturers pass on higher whey costs. Industry analysts attribute the change mainly to strong consumer demand for protein and constrained global whey supplies, with other global commodity and currency factors also cited. Undetermined at this time.