Grading Standards
Commodity grading standards
Grades are how commodities are described commercially: a defined set of measured attributes and defect limits, issued by a named body, in force in a named jurisdiction, in a specific edition. This section summarises what those standards measure and how they work.
What a grade is — and is not
A grade is a commercial classification, not a verdict on quality, and not a food-safety clearance. A lot that meets a grade can still be unsuitable for a particular use; a lot that misses one can be perfectly safe. Grades exist so that buyers and sellers can describe a lot in shared, measurable terms.
Grading standards are also versioned and jurisdictional. The same commodity is graded differently in different countries, and standards are revised. Every entry here names its issuing body, jurisdiction, edition, and legal status (mandatory, voluntary, or contractual) so a reader knows exactly what is being described.
Reproduction limits
Many standards are copyrighted or sold. AgricultureID summarises what a standard measures and how it is structured — it does not reproduce standards verbatim, and it is not a substitute for the official text. Every entry states its reproduction limitations and points to the issuing body.
AgricultureID does not perform grading, issue certificates, or act as an inspection authority. For an authoritative determination, consult the issuing body or an accredited inspector. See the commodities each standard applies to for the attributes involved.
Grading standards A–Z
Each entry covers the issuing body, jurisdiction, edition, legal status, the attributes and defects considered, sampling context, and the limits of the summary.
6 entries
- Commodity grading standard
United States Grade Standards for Barley
The United States Standards for Barley set out how barley is officially classed and graded. The structure is organised around a distinction the trade turns on: malting barley, assessed against requirements no other cereal standard carries, and barley destined for feed and other uses.
- Commodity grading standard
United States Grade Standards for Corn
The United States Standards for Corn define how corn is officially classed and graded for trade in the United States. A lot is assigned a class and then a numerical grade determined by measured factors — test weight, broken corn and foreign material, damaged kernels, and heat-damaged kernels.
- Commodity grading standard
United States Grade Standards for Milled Rice
The United States Standards for Rice define how milled rice is officially classed and graded. Grades run from U.S. No. 1 to U.S. No. 6 plus a sample grade, determined by factors including broken kernels, chalky kernels, damaged kernels, colour, and degree of milling.
- Commodity grading standard
United States Grade Standards for Shell Eggs
The USDA standards for shell eggs define quality grades AA, A, and B alongside a separate set of weight classes. Unlike the U.S. grain standards, this grading is a voluntary, fee-for-service programme: an egg carton carries the USDA shield only if the packer chose to pay for the service.
- Commodity grading standard
United States Grade Standards for Soybeans
The United States Standards for Soybeans define how soybeans are officially classed and graded for trade in the United States. Numbered grades and a sample grade are determined from factors including test weight, damaged and heat-damaged kernels, foreign material, splits, and soybeans of other colours.
- Commodity grading standard
United States Grade Standards for Wheat
The United States Standards for Wheat define how wheat is officially classed and graded for trade in the United States. They set out wheat classes, numerical grades, and the factors — test weight, damaged kernels, foreign material, shrunken and broken kernels, and defects — on which a grade is determined.
Sources
This article draws on the following authoritative sources. See our sources & methodology for how they are selected.
- [1]USDA — U.S. Department of Agriculture (opens in a new tab)Authoritative
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Cited for: United States commodity grading standards context
- Type:
- Government agency
- Jurisdiction:
- United States
- Accessed:
- 2026-07-12
- [2]FAO — Food and Agriculture Organization (opens in a new tab)Authoritative
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Cited for: International commodity quality and grading context
- Type:
- Intergovernmental organization
- Jurisdiction:
- Global
- Accessed:
- 2026-07-12