New Study Highlights Net Protein Contribution (NPC) of Pork and Its Positive Impact on High-Quality Protein Supply for Consumers.

The Australian pork industry today celebrates its ongoing efforts to enhance food sustainability and nourish Australia’s growing population following a publication in CSIRO’s coveted Animal Production Science Journal and a presentation at the Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition Conference.

In an industry first to determine the Net Protein Contribution (NPC) of Australian pork, researchers from the SunPork Group discovered an impressive value of 3.26 – compared to global published values that range from 0.50 to 1.23.

SunPork’s research reveals that the quality and efficiency of Australia’s pork supply chains can generate three times the human-edible protein it consumes. Highlighting its important role in providing high-quality protein for human consumption.

If an NPC value is greater than 1.0 for a farming system, then there are net benefits for human populations. This is important in demonstrating the positive impact that livestock farming systems have on human food supply.

With SunPork determining a value of 3.26 for its supply chain, the findings demonstrate pork’s overall efficiency in converting human-edible protein.

CEO of the SunPork Group Dr Robert van Barneveld, says the concept of Net Protein Contribution (NPC) goes beyond measuring the amount of protein, it also considers the essential amino acids required for optimal human health.

“Our research tells us that our supply chain generates three times the human-edible protein than it consumes in the process – this is very efficient for an integrated farming system.

“Not only are we producing high value protein for human consumption, but we’re doing it sustainably too.

“While the calculation is not overly complex, an intimate knowledge of the feed, nutrients and their quality are needed to interpret their impacts on human-edible protein.

“The results reflect our advances in pig nutrition, with the quality and composition of our pig feed having great benefits.

“If we continue to focus on the utilisation of waste streams, co-products, and human-inedible feedstuffs, then we can make a net contribution to Australia’s human-edible protein supply.

“As a fully integrated farming system, it was essential for us to determine operational efficiencies and the overall benefits that our products have on the wider community,” Dr van Barneveld said.

The findings of the study highlight potential nutritional benefits of the entire Australian pork supply chain. By understanding the Net Protein Contribution (NPC) of the wider pork supply chain, consumers may become better informed when making protein choices.

Australian Pork Limited, CEO, Margo Andrae says the latest findings are a positive reflection on the industry’s efforts to produce quality nutritious pork that’s produced in a sustainable way.

“We’re incredibly proud of our industry’s work to deliver nutritious, low emissions protein to pork lovers right around Australia.

“It's important consumers know the true value of their food, and that when they choose Australian pork – they’re not only making a healthy choice, but they’re actively supporting a sustainable industry that’s driving positive change.

“SunPork’s research allows us to not only break down the protein value of pork and what it means for the everyday Australian, it also demonstrates how other pork businesses can calculate their NPC too.

“From here, this new research will support our industry in telling its story, and we can continue to advocate to consumers the many benefits of including pork, as a part of a healthy-balanced diet,” Ms Andrae said.

To find out more about the study, visit the CSIRO.

About SunPork Group

SunPork Group, with more than 52,000 sows, is the largest fully integrated pork production company in Australasia, with operations across Australia and New Zealand. The business spans genetics, feed milling, farming, processing, value-adding, sales and marketing and distribution. SunPork was founded in the 1980s by three Australian farming families and has since grown to produce over 1.1m pigs per annum.

About Australian Pork Limited

Australian Pork Limited is a producer-owned industry body representing pork producers, while enabling a thriving pork industry for all. From researching ways to innovate sustainable practices to representing the industry in policy development, Australian Pork Limited is future focused while maintaining a positive industry culture and delivering Australia’s preferred choice protein.

For more information and media enquiries, please contact:

APL Communications Manager Jessica Wallace via Jessica.wallace@australianpork.com.au or 0436 814 410.