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Wheat classes in Kazakhstan: GOST, gluten, protein, test weight and price

How the class of soft wheat is determined under GOST 9353-2016 and why every percentage point of gluten changes the price per tonne.

Which standard applies

In Kazakhstan, wheat class is determined under the interstate standardGOST 9353-2016 “Wheat. Specifications”. Kazakhstan voted for its adoption together with Russia, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. Soft wheat is divided into 5 classes; durum is assessed under separate norms.

Key parameters for soft wheat (minimum values)

  • Class 1: protein 14.5%, gluten 32%, falling number 200 s, test weight 750 g/l, vitreousness 60%.
  • Class 2: protein 13.5%, gluten 28%, falling number 200 s, test weight 750 g/l.
  • Class 3: protein 12.0%, gluten 23%, falling number 150 s, test weight 730 g/l.
  • Class 4: protein 10.0%, gluten 18%, falling number 80 s, test weight 710 g/l.
  • Class 5: protein, gluten and test weight are not standardised.

The GOST also limits gluten quality (group and gluten deformation index, IDK), foreign matter and grain admixture, sunn pest damage and pest infestation. Moisture at delivery must not exceed 14%. See the full table in the text of the standard.

What each parameter means

  • Gluten: the main price parameter on the domestic market; it determines baking quality.
  • Protein: the key parameter in foreign trade. Many importers specify it separately in the contract.
  • Test weight: the mass of one litre of grain. Low test weight indicates shrivelled grain and lower flour yield.
  • Falling number: shows whether the grain has sprouted. If rain falls during harvest, it drops, and a lot may be downgraded to Class 4–5 even with good gluten.

A lot's class is determined by itsworstparameter. If gluten is at Class 3 level but the falling number is at Class 4 level, the lot will be graded Class 4.

How class affects price

The difference between classes is clear in Food Contract Corporation prices. Under preliminary purchase prices for the 2025 harvest (December 2025, incl. VAT), Class 3 wheat cost KZT 90–92 thousand/t with gluten from 23%, KZT 94–96 thousand/t with gluten from 25%, and KZT 115 thousand/t with gluten from 27%. Class 4 wheat cost KZT 78–80 thousand/t and Class 5 KZT 70 thousand/t. For the 2026 harvest, the government set a range of KZT 92–115 thousand/t for Class 3, depending on quality.

Practical tips

  • Send samples to an accredited laboratory before selling so you know the actual class.
  • Do not mix lots of different quality: one poor lot will lower the class of the whole volume.
  • At intake, the elevator must determine moisture, test weight and dockage, and for wheat also gluten, vitreousness, sunn pest damage, protein and falling number. Compare your results with the elevator's data.
  • If you disagree with the analysis, demand an arbitration sample.