Kansas Wheat Protein: Relative Scarcity Creates Value

Wheat protein is essential to end-use products including bread and noodles. Protein levels vary based on weather, growing conditions, and production practices. This research identifies and quantifies the relationship between wheat prices and protein levels for seven Kansas crop reporting districts during 2001–2023. Results of a quadratic panel regression model demonstrate that local wheat prices are influenced by both (1) the absolute level of wheat protein in the local Crop Reporting District and (2) the local level of wheat protein relative to the overall wheat protein level in the rest of the State.