Australia’s opportunity in the USD $68.56 billion global upcycled food market
Tuesday 21 April, 2026
The global upcycled food market is projected to reach USD 68.56 billion by 2032, almost doubling from USD $38.95B in 2024 (Fortune Business Insights, 2025) and offering a significant economic, environmental and innovation opportunity for Australian growers and producers.
Upcycled foods are made by transforming surplus or byproduct ingredients, such as excess produce or manufacturing residues, into new, high value food products.
New research shows Australia is well positioned to grow a competitive upcycled food sector that transforms surplus and byproducts into high value food products and ingredients while reducing waste.
The two and a half-year Accelerating Food Transformation project, led by QUT in collaboration with End Food Waste Australia (EFWA) and the Queensland Government, found that upcycled food offers a scalable solution to address the ~2.96 million tonnes of food wasted annually in Australia’s primary production and manufacturing sectors (FIAL, 2021).
The research team worked with growers, entrepreneurs, government representatives and consumers, and examined the regulatory, manufacturing and consumer dimensions that are shaping the emergence of upcycled food in Australia.
It found no major regulatory barriers, but identified the need for clearer upcycling definitions and shared manufacturing infrastructure.
Associate Professor at QUT, Hope Johnson, said that realising the potential of upcycled food requires coordinated action across regulation, research, industry capability and consumer engagement to move beyond isolated innovation and towards a thriving sector.
“This project has highlighted the importance of understanding and navigating existing regulatory frameworks, including food safety and labelling, while demonstrating that regulation itself is not a primary barrier when approached with clarity and confidence,” Johnson said.
“Critically, the research builds the evidence base required to understand consumer acceptance and demand, which is essential to developing a viable new market and supporting credible claims to enable greater investment and scale.”
EFWA Director – Research, Development and Extension, Francesca Goodman-Smith, said the project provides practical insight that allows businesses, policymakers and researchers to move forward with confidence rather than navigating complexity in isolation.
“By bringing together regulatory analysis, industry experience and consumer evidence, the study offers a shared foundation to support coordinated action, reduce risk and accelerate learning through case studies and guidance for manufacturers of upcycled foods,” Goodman-Smith said.
“The findings are relevant not only nationally, but also internationally, contributing to the growing body of knowledge on how upcycled food sectors can be responsibly developed, scaled and embedded as a core strategy for reducing food waste, increasing profitability and strengthening food system resilience.”
Head of Product Strategy, Quality and Innovation at Montague Farms, Rowan Little, said growers want solutions grounded in the realities of producing and harvesting fresh food.
“On farm, food waste isn’t about carelessness its often more related to economics. There are many elements that contribute but the fundamental issue is that the revenue we receive for some fruit is lower than the cost to harvest and process. Upcycled products give us a way to generate a financial return for more of our fruit, but we can’t do it alone,” he says.
“Clear regulatory guidance, collaboration with manufacturers and industry, reliable pathways to market and confidence that surplus food can be safely transformed are all critical.”
“With the right support in place, upcycling becomes not just a sustainability story, but a practical, viable option that strengthens farm resilience and makes better use of every crop we work hard to produce.”
As part of the project a free suite of online resources has been developed to support growers, producers and manufacturers considering upcycling as an option for their business. The suite includes a manufacturer’s guide, case studies from Australian businesses engaged in upcycling, and consumer insights to inform industry engagement. To access the full research reports and related resources visit: www.endfoodwaste.com.au/upcycling-food
Sources:
- Fortune Business Insights (2026). Upcycled Food Products Market. https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/upcycled-food-productsmarket-113710
- FIAL, 2021, National Food Waste Strategy Feasibility Study
ENDS
About End Food Waste Australia
End Food Waste Australia’s vision is an Australia without food waste, starting with halving food waste by 2030. We will end food waste in Australia through research and innovation, industry action, policy development and behaviourchange.
We conduct world-leading research through the End Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre, funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Industry, Science and Resources. We lead bold and innovative industry action and collaboration through the Australian Food Pact and Sector Action Plans.
End Food Waste Australia has formed one of the world’s largest dedicated public-private partnerships of more than 100 organisations focused on addressing Australia’s $36.6 billion food waste challenge. Together, we aim to create a more productive, sustainable, and resilient Australian food system by ending food waste and food insecurity. For more information: www.endfoodwaste.com.au
Media contact
Jocelyn Somerford, Corporate Communications Manager, End Food Waste Australia
Ph: 0426 220 181 Email: jocelyn@endfoodwaste.com.au