Basmati Rice in Global Trade: World’s Most Scented White Pearl
Rice can be of three major types - short grain, medium grain, and long grain. Basmati rice belongs to the long-grain variety of rice. It is because of this and its pleasant aroma that basmati rice is known as "the white pearl". Its fragrance and delicate flavor give basmati rice the title of "Queen of Fragrance". This fragrance is present in basmati rice because of the presence of the 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline chemical. It has a prime position among the 5,000 varieties of rice present all over the world. Visually, basmati rice is no different from any other varieties of rice, but once you take a sniff of it, you will notice how greatly it is different from others.
It has 2 major varieties - white basmati rice and brown basmati rice. The latter one has more fiber and has an intense flavor as compared to the white one. It is used as a key ingredient in a variety of mouth-watering cuisines like biryani, pulao, Kitchari, Tahdig (Persian Rice), and others. The cultivation of basmati rice originated in the Indian subcontinent, specifically in the Himalayan foothills regions. Other than India, it is also cultivated in Pakistan, Nepal, and other countries. The earliest reference to basmati rice can be found in the tragic romance of "Heer Ranjha" - a famous Punjabi folktale by Waris Shah.
What Boosts the Global Trade Industry of Basmati Rice
As mentioned above, Basmati rice originated in India, and it is still widely cultivated in various states of India and contributes to 70% of the total basmati rice production. It is also important to note that India contributes about one-third of the world's acreage dedicated to basmati rice production. The cultivation has now spread to other parts of the world as well. For instance, the US has started producing two varieties of basmati rice - Texmati and Kasmati. All the varieties of basmati rice consist of varying nutritional benefits. That is one of the primary reasons why there is a surge in the market for basmati rice. The nutritional profile of basmati rice protects us against a lot of diseases and has a lot of other health benefits.
Let's discuss those in depth:
What Basmati Rice Does | How It Does |
Strengthens the body's immunity and supports nervous system | It is rich in vitamin B, magnesium, selenium, and has a lot of antioxidant elements. |
Reduces the risk of heart and vascular diseases
| Preventing the formation of harmful fat around the arteries, it finds a way to stop the discharge of cholesterol inside them. |
Can be included in the diet of diabetic patients | According to the Diabetes Association of Canada, basmati rice has a good amount of fiber, amylase, starchy carbs, and protein. All of these are responsible for its lower glycemic index. |
Manages weight | Unlike other varieties of rice, basmati rice slows the digestion process and keeps you full for a longer period, hence saving you from all the unwanted cravings. Consuming boiled basmati rice instead of traditional ones helps people achieve their dream weight a lot faster. |
Recent Trends in the Global Trade Industry of Basmati Rice and What It Means for Exporters
The trend in the global trade industry keeps changing for basmati rice, and as an exporter, you must understand all those trends. It helps you make the necessary changes to your own exporting company to become relevant to the global audience and grow your business. Some of the recent trends in the global trade industry of basmati rice along with what necessary exporters need to take in accordance with those are as follows:
Global Market Trend | What Exporters Need to Do |
There has been a recent blending trend, because of which you can now mix your basmati rice with similar-looking varieties like Sharbati rice, Pusa rice, and others. It is mostly done by mixing expensive and less expensive rice, so the consumers can have a taste of premium rice like long-grain basmati rice by spending a little less. | This is a great advantage for exporters, as they can now include mixed basmati rice in their exporting business and gain significant profit themselves.
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According to the new regulations of FSSAI (implemented since 1 August 2023), there should not be artificial fragrance, color, or polish present in basmati rice. Furthermore, cooking this rice should result in a fluffy texture, and the natural aroma should not be lost in the process. | Exporters now need to make sure that they are carrying out all the necessary testing and inspections for their basmati rice. Those tests include visual inspection, cooking test, and laboratory analysis.
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DNA fingerprinting based on microsatellite markers (SSRs) has now become a reliable source for checking the authenticity of basmati rice. So, exporters need to make sure that there are no such impurities present in their basmati rice. | To ensure that basmati rice is free of any impurities, exporters need to carry out DNA testing before exporting it internationally. They also need to increase transparency in terms of the rice’s origin, characteristics, and quality. |
Traditional basmati rice gives around 10-12 quintals per acre. Therefore, farmers in India are now producing more of other varieties of basmati rice which could give more rice, such as 1121, Pusa, Sharbati, and Parmal basmati rice. | This means that exporters now have access to larger quantities of basmati rice varieties at lower costs. They can now increase their exports of these varieties to meet diverse consumer preferences and increase their profit. |
What Basmati Rice Buyers Demand from Suppliers:
As per the recent trends of the global trade industry of basmati rice, there are a few requirements that exporters need to meet. This is to ensure that high-quality basmati rice is being exported. Some of those requirements are:
- Color: translucent, pearly creamy white, prefer white polished (most demanded)
- Shape: long, slender, slightly tapered grains with pointed ends
- Grains: long and slender
- Texture: silky, firm grains, should separate and become fluffy after cooking
- Fragrance: nutty and floral
- Elongation: should elongate equal or more than double the length of uncooked grain
- Flavour: Nutty and sweet
Basmati Rice Types & Other Related Categories in the Global Market
Basmati Rice Type Name | Key Features | Grain Size | Most Demanded in |
Pusa Basmati Rice | High yield, slightly shorter cooking time | 7.35 to 7.45 mm | UK, Saudi Arabia, Qatar |
1121 Basmati Rice | Longest grain, fluffy texture | 8.2 to 8.4 mm | Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Iran |
1509 Basmati Rice | Early maturing, non-sticky | 8.2 to 8.4 mm | Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and UAE |
1401 Basmati Rice | Hybrid of Pusa and traditional basmati, high aroma | 7.70 to 7.80 mm | Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Nepal |
Super Kernel Basmati Rice | Aromatic, fluffy | 7.0 mm | Italy, United States, and Netherlands |
Dehradun Basmati Rice | Strong aroma, softer grain | 6.8 mm | Netherlands, Poland, and Bhutan |
Kasturi Basmati Rice | Slightly sticky, distinct taste | 12-15 mm | UK |
Sugandha Basmati Rice | Mild aroma, cost-effective | 7.80 to 7.90 mm | Pakistan, Iran, and Iraq |
White Sella Basmati Rice | Non-sticky, good shelf life | 7.4 to 8.35 mm | Iraq, Iran, and United States |
Brown Basmati Rice | Whole grain, high fiber | 6.00 to 6.8mm | UK, US, and Italy |
After you have clear information about the specific types of basmati rice, you can now expand your exporting business by including more varieties. There are some other related products as well that you can start exporting to grow your business. Some of the most relevant ones are as follows:
- Long Grain Rice or varieties of basmati rice: Indian Basmati Rice, Sugandha Basmati Rice, 1121 Basmati Rice, Brown Basmati Rice, Sella Basmati Rice, etc.
- Non Basmati Rice varieties: Matta Rice, Ponni Rice, Thai Rice, and others
- Other types of most demanded rice: Brown Rice, Wild rice, Organic Rice, Jasmine Rice, White Rice, Medium Grain Rice, Short Grain Rice, Black Rice, Broken Rice, Parboiled Rice, and others.
Crucial Market Insights on Basmati Rice Export and Import
As an exporter, when you enter the global trade industry, you should have some important information about the current market size and recent trends. This will help you in making strategic business plans and making the most profit. A few of the crucial data are as follows:
Global Market Size
Metric | Value |
Market Size (2023) | $13.5 Billion |
Expected Market Size (2032) | $26.89 Billion |
CAGR | 9.00% |
Source: Market Research Future
Top Importing Countries for Basmati Rice (2024):
Country Name | Total shipments |
Nepal | 53,513 |
US | 33,158 |
UAE | 12,002 |
Source: Volza
How to Find Verified Basmati Rice Buyers Near Me & Globally?
To find some of the trusted basmati rice importers, you can rely on multiple sources and platforms. Some of the most effective ways for connecting with reliable buyers are mentioned below:
- B2B platforms: You can create your account on B2B platforms (such as go4WorldBusiness) after signing up and entering all the important information about your basmati rice exporting company. After this, you will get queries from the buyers themselves, or you can also send a message to them by using the search box. Just mention the specific variety of basmati rice you’re selling, such as 1121 basmati rice buyers, sella basmati rice buyers, etc.
- Trade exhibitions: Start being an active participant in industrial trade fairs for basmati rice. Some of the most popular ones are IRE China, Bharat International Rice Conference, International Rice Grain Pro Tech Expo, etc. You will be meeting with a lot of wholesale basmati rice buyers from your country, as well as foreign ones. Remember that the basmati rice wholesale price will vary as per the demand in the global markets.
- Local Business Directories: Opt for this particular method when you look for buyers in your domestic market. You can turn on your location and then search for basmati rice buyers. You will find a number of wholesale and retail basmati rice buyers who buy in bulk.
- Government Councils: Various government statutory bodies like APEDA and DGFT help exporters find buyers in multiple ways. They organize buyer-seller meets, offer market insights, let the exporters access trade directories and platforms, and boost global exposure through export promotion schemes.
- LinkedIn and Social Media: Various buyers of basmati rice tend to turn to social media sites (Instagram and Facebook) and LinkedIn for finding a reliable supplier. So, start being active on these platforms and engage in trade community groups.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
1. What is the demand for basmati rice?
The demand for basmati rice is pretty high, especially in countries like Nepal, the US, and the UAE. The global market size of basmati rice is expected to reach $26.89 billion in 2032, growing at a CAGR of 9.00%.
2. How much is 1 kg of basmati rice?
Basmati rice price 1 kg is around INR 252. Remember that it can vary depending on the location.
3. How to find buyers for Basmati rice exports?
To find buyers of basmati rice, you can use:
- B2B platforms (such as go4WorldBusiness)
- Trade fairs (International Rice and Grains Expo, BIRC, etc.)
- Social media platforms (Instagram and Facebook)
4. What quality certifications are important for Basmati rice exports?
Certifications like ISO certifications, FSSAI license, IEC, Commercial invoice, certificate of origin, and others are essential when you are exporting basmati rice.
5. What are the popular varieties of Basmati rice for export?
1121, Pusa, Sharbati, Sella, and traditional basmati rice are some of the popular varieties of basmati rice that you can export.
6. Who is the largest producer of basmati rice in the world?
India is the world’s largest producer of basmati rice.
7. How many types of basmati rice are there?
There are over 30 varieties of basmati rice in the world.
8. Who is the biggest importer of basmati rice?
Nepal, followed by the US and UAE, are some of the biggest importers of basmati rice.
9. Which country is famous for basmati rice?
India and Pakistan are two of the most famous countries for basmati rice.
10. What is the basmati rice HSN code?
10063020 is the HSN code for basmati rice.
Latest News Related to Basmati Rice Global Trade:
In the past three months, the prices of Indian basmati rice, which increased by 15-20%, are now estimated to decrease again. At the same time, the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict has reduced India's basmati rice exports to Iran. (Full story: The Times of India)
