Ukrainian wheat protein content among highest levels over 16 years

Protein content in Ukrainian wheat increased on average from 11.9% in 2018 to 12.58% in 2019, APK-Inform reports. According to the Technical Manager of SGS Ukraine Oleg Onishchenko, the gluten content has increased from 22.1% to 26.1%, although the protein-to-gluten ratio has shown completely different correlations in recent years.

He noted that in the past trading season 2018-19, the protein content did not quite correspond to the expected value of the mass fraction of raw gluten (mechanical washing). For example, when forming an export consignment of wheat with an average protein content of 11.5% and expected gluten content (mechanical washing) of approximately 23% (often the actual gluten content was below 23%), it was necessary to monitor more closely the compliance of this parameter with contractual requirements. The situation with regard to wheat grain changed significantly in 2019.

"Wheat crop quality analysis in the last 16 years shows that the average protein content in wheat crop of 2019 is among the top five indicators for this period, and the gluten content (mechanical washing) — in the top three," explained the expert.

He also believes that the protein content increase was achieved with the use of nitrogen fertilizers in the technology of grains production. In particular, urea application in the phase of grain filling contributed, as well as the cultivation of modern (valuable) varieties of crops in addition to the redistribution of spare substances in fine grains towards the more important component — protein, which is typical under adverse weather conditions.

Earlier it was reported that the European Union (EU) approved licenses to import 926 t of Ukrainian wheat under the year's tariff-rate quotas (TRQ) for grains.