Protein is a very important part of our diets. Protein provides the body with energy. It is needed for the manufacture of hormones, antibodies, enzymes, and muscle tissues. Protein also helps maintain the proper acid alkali balance. Based on a normal diet of 2000 calories per day, one needs at least 50 grams of protein. This differs according to age and sex of the person. Thus to create a balanced diet it is very important to have the minimum amount of protein in the diet.

Some commodities are a very good source of protein. Soybeans are an excellent source of protein as well as kilocalories. It is important to calculate the cost per pound of the commodity depending on the protein or kilocalories they provide. For example, to provide the same amount of protein wheat is costlier than soybeans.

The calculator below helps to calculate the cost of providing a pound of protein and 1000 Kcals to an aid recipient in another country. Three countries from the continents of South America, Africa and Asia are taken as an example to include the shipping costs - Brazil represents South America, Kenya represents Africa and India represents Asia. The commodities, their prices and their protein and Kcals values have been taken from the USAID commodity reference guide. A transportation expense to the port of shipping from US ($60 /tonne) and a transportation expense from the port of arrival in the recipient country to the aid community ($75/tonne) was added to the total cost. The cost of shipping from port to port was obtained by discussions with 8 to 10 major shipping companies and freight carriers. Price source is latest USDA tenders when available or USAID P.L. 480 Title II Commodity Price Estimates.

To calculate, select the commodity and the country it is being shipped to.

Select a Commodity Beans, Black Beans, Great Northern Beans, Kidney (light,dark red, all types) Beans, Navy (pea beans) Beans, (pinto) Bulgur Bulgur, Soy Fortified Corn Cornmeal Cornmeal, Soy Fortified Corn Soy Blend Corn Soy Masa Flour Instant Lentils Peas Rice Sorghum Sorghum Grits, Soy Fortified Soybeans Soybean Meal Defatted Soy Flour Textured Vegetable Protein Soy Protein Concentrates Soy Protein Isolates Milk Replacers Fortified Refined Vegetable Oil Wheat Wheat Flour Wheat Soy Blend Non Fat Dry Milk Whole Dry Milk Select a Country Brazil (South America) India (Asia) Kenya (Africa)

Download a Protein Values Table (PDF)

Download a Kilocalorie Values Table (PDF)

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