Quality of Ukrainian milling wheat returns to pre-war levels

The quality of Ukrainian wheat has recovered to pre-war levels, while the 2026 harvest provides sufficient volumes of high-quality grain to meet domestic processing needs. This was stated by Rodion Rybchynsky, Director of the Union of Ukrainian Millers, based on a study of wheat quality from the 2020–2025 harvests. As part of the research, specialists analyzed more than 15 thsd grain samples for quality and safety indicators, including protein and gluten content, mycotoxins, heavy metals, and pesticides.

According to the study, the average test weight of wheat in 2025 was 78.2 kg/hl, with protein content on a dry matter basis at 12.4% and wet gluten content at 27.6%. For comparison, wet gluten content stood at 25.7% in 2024. The improvement in these indicators reflects a gradual recovery in grain quality following a significant deterioration during the first years of the full-scale war.

The most significant decline in wheat quality was recorded in 2023. The main reasons included reduced field operations, lower mineral fertilizer application, and insufficient crop protection against pests and diseases following russia’s full-scale invasion. These factors negatively affected cultivation practices and the quality characteristics of the harvest.

Over the following seasons, Ukrainian farmers gradually adapted to the new conditions and restored essential agricultural practices. By 2025, field operations under standard crop management programs had largely returned to pre-war levels. At the same time, the introduction of new wheat varieties helped improve certain grain quality indicators compared to the pre-war period.

In the 2026 harvest, the share of second-class wheat increased to 9.9%, compared to 6.1% a year earlier, indicating a larger supply of high-quality milling wheat. Total second-class wheat production is estimated at approximately 2.3 mln tons, while the Ukrainian milling industry’s demand stands at around 1.5 mln tons. Thus, domestic production fully covers processors’ needs for this wheat class, leaving additional volumes available for other markets.

Tags: Ukraine, flour