Sella Basmati Rice: A Premium Parboiled Rice for Global Trade Markets
Sella Basmati Rice is one of the various types that feature long grains and has gained popularity due to its pleasant aroma and fluffy texture. It is frequently used in the cuisines of India, Pakistan, the Middle East, and Persia. It has a lower glycemic index than other rice varieties, which is why this variety is preferred by people who have diabetes. The extra-long sella basmati rice is also a great source of energy because it is rich in carbs. It is made through a series of processes, including soaking, steaming, drying (when the rice is still in its husk), and finally milling.
The word "sella" refers to the process of parboiling, which is why sella basmati rice is also called sella parboiled basmati rice. This process also solves the issue of rancidity (when the oxidised oils and fats create an unpleasant taste), a common issue with brown rice. After the process of parboiling, the outer layers of Sella rice are removed through milling, making the
Sella rice white in color, which is then known as White Sella Rice. This specific type of sella rice has a lot of health benefits, which are as follows:
Health benefits | How it helps |
Lowers heart disease risk | It contains fiber, which reduces the bad cholesterol levels (LDL). |
Improves digestion | Again, the fiber-enriched white sella rice reduces the chances of constipation and improves bowel movements. |
Boosts energy levels | It is rich in carbohydrates - a key source of energy for the body. |
Regulates blood sugar levels | As compared to other varieties of rice, it is low in glycemic index. |
Suitable for gluten-intolerant individuals | Being naturally gluten-free, it is perfect for people who have celiac disease or are intolerant to gluten. |
Sella Basmati Rice Leading the Way in Premium Agriculture Product Exports
Sella basmati rice has become one of the premium commodities in international trade. And India continues to dominate the global export of various basmati rice, Sella basmati rice being one of the major ones. It exports around 60 to 70% of the total volumes. Pakistan is very much behind, as it also exports roughly around 30 to 35% of the same. Among the various varieties of sella basmati rice, 1121 Sella Basmati (parboiled) is one of the most prominent types in the trade industry. It cooks faster and is less sticky than other varieties, which is why there is a rise in the global appetite for this variety.
Additionally, it is due to the nutritional value and rich aroma that Sella basmati rice has continued to become a staple in various countries' cuisines. Some of the famous country-specific cuisines that specifically use sella basmati rice and its varieties are as follows:
- Hyderabadi, Lucknowi/Mughlai, and Sindhi biryani or Yakhni and Mutton pulao: India and Pakistan
- Mandi, Kabsa, and Machboos: Saudi Arabia
- Nigerian Jollof rice: Africa
- Koshari: Egypt
- Lebanese rice pilaf, Madghout rice, Sayadieh (fish rice): Middle Eastern countries
- Hainanese chicken rice: Southeast Asia
Factors making sella basmati rice a great commodity in global agriculture export are:
- Superior grain length: It is estimated that Sella basmati rice can reach up to 8.3mm after cooking; therefore, it becomes one of the longest-grain rice varieties in the world. This feature makes this rice perfect for making biryani, pulao, and others.
- Nutritional Excellence: This type of basmati rice is a powerhouse of essential nutrients like carbohydrates, fiber, and other vital minerals. It is one of the key foods for having a balanced diet.
- Emerging Market Opportunities in Europe and the Middle East: As an exporter, you will be happy to know that the market for rice exports is expanding in cuisine-centric countries like the USA, UAE, UK, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and others. These countries have a demand for more premium varieties of rice, like Sella basmati rice.
- Versatile Culinary Application: Whether any country demands rice for making hearty pilaf, traditional pulaos or biryanis, or simply making a side dish, Sella basmati variety blends easily with all the spices and cooking techniques. It seamlessly absorbs all the flavours and makes a perfect base for additional seasonings.
What Sella Basmati Rice Buyers Demand from Suppliers:
When you enter the business of global exports, there are a few requirements that you need to fulfill. These are mostly related to the quality of your product, which in this case could be any type of sella basmati rice. Therefore, the things a buyer might look for in your sella basmati rice are as follows:
- Appearance: pale yellow or golden color (or as per the specific type), slender and long grains, minimal broken or discolored grains
- Texture: firm, non-sticky after cooking,
- Aroma: subtle nutty fragrance
- Taste: sweet and nutty
- Uniformity: uniform shape and size of grain
- Packaging: properly sealed
Sella Basmati Rice Types & Other Related Categories in the Global Market
Sella Basmati Rice Type Name | Grain Length (mm) | Key Characteristics |
1121 Sella Basmati Rice | 8.35 to 8.40 | Extra-long grain, non-sticky texture |
1509 Sella Basmati Rice | 8.40 | Early maturing crop, slightly less aromatic than 1121 |
Pusa Sella Basmati Rice | 7.40 to 7.60 | Good length, high yield |
1401 Sella Basmati Rice | 7.50 to 7.70 | Budget-friendly, moderate aroma |
Golden Sella Basmati Rice | 7.50 to 8.30 | Golden-yellow hue, non-sticky texture |
White Sella Basmati Rice | 7.50 to 8.30 | Fluffy, creamy-white appearance |
Sugandha Sella Rice | 7.80 to 8.00 | 12% moisture content, medium-long grain |
Sharbati Sella Rice | 6.90 to 7.10 | short-to-medium grain, very mild aroma |
There are a lot of other categories that you can include in your sella basmati rice exporting business. Some of the major ones are as follows:
- Varieties of basmati rice: Sugandha Basmati Rice, 1121 Basmati Rice, and different types of Indian Basmati Rice
- Other varieties of rice: Non Basmati Rice (Matta Rice, Ponni Rice, Thai Rice, and others), Brown Rice, Organic Rice, Jasmine Rice, Black Rice, White Rice, Organic Rice, Broken Rice
- Rice of different sizes: Long Grain Rice, Medium Grain Rice, and Short Grain Rice, and many others
What type of varieties do the sella basmati rice importers look for?
After you know what the various types of stella basmati rice are, you now have an advantage of targeting the specific needs of a market by exporting the most relevant type of sella rice. To know more about this, refer to the table below:
Here is the specific type of sella basmati rice you can export as per the market's demand:
Sella Basmati variety | Top Importing Country | Reason |
White Sella Basmati Rice | Iraq, Iran, and the US | These countries demand rice for meeting the consumer demands for making curries and everyday meals, and White Sella Basmati Rice is the perfect fit for this purpose. |
Golden Sella Basmati Rice | Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and the US | This variety of sella basmati rice is perfect for making traditional biryanis or festive dishes and is visually pleasing - exactly what the catering and hospitality industries of these countries look for. |
Pusa Sella Basmati Rice | Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Somalia | All three of these countries have an expanding food processing industry, which is why food manufacturers (restaurants, cafes, caterers) contribute a lot to the increased demand for this variety. Its extra-long grain, which is further elongated after cooking, is the primary reason behind this demand. |
1121 Sella Basmati Rice
| Iraq, Iran, and Saudi Arabia
| In these countries, the 1121 wholesale sella rice buyers sell the rice to large event caterers who use this variety for cooking in bulk and delivering some high-quality delicacies. Importers also sell these to food companies who make ready-to-cook or pre-cooked rice. |
Key Market Insights on Sella Basmati Rice Export and Import
A few of the essential data related to the market size of sella basmati rice are mentioned below. Going through it will help significantly in your journey of exporting this variety of rice to the world.
Global Market Size
Metric | Value |
Market Size (2024) | $4.6 Billion |
Expected Market Size (2033) | $7.8 Billion |
CAGR | 6.2% |
Source: Verified Market Reports
Top Importing Countries for Sella Basmati Rice (2024):
Country Name | Total shipments |
Iraq | 5,288 |
Saudi Arabia | 4,173 |
Iran | 3,380 |
Source: Volza
How to Find Verified Sella Basmati Rice Importers & Buyers Near Me & Globally?
When you have successfully established an exporting business of sella basmati rice, your most important task is to find verified buyers. After careful analysis, here are some of the best options through which you can connect with verified buyers of Sella Basmati Rice:
- Use local wholesale or retail directories to target the local market near you. This could be the buyers in your town’s local market or the nearby market of other cities.
- Sign up on B2B platforms, such as go4WorldBusiness. At this platform, you can create an account as a seller of any variety of sella basmati rice (1121 golden sella basmati rice, 1509 golden sella basmati rice, or others). After that, you can connect with a lot of international buyers of sella basmati rice via chat or the community channel.
- Start attending rice trade fairs, such as Bharat International Rice Congress, Rice Grain Pro-Tech Expo, Anuga, International Rice and Grains Expo, etc. These trade fairs are a great way for networking and having some fruitful talks with potential buyers of sella basmati rice.
- Create a website for your exporting business, and specify in detail about the products you’re exporting, your MOQ, the countries you want to do business with, and the address of your company. Implement some of the essential SEO guidelines, which will attract not only local but also global buyers of sella basmati rice.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs):
1. What is Sella basmati rice?
Sella basmati rice is one of the varieties of basmati rice, which has been parboiled before milling.
2. How is Sella Basmati rice different from regular Basmati rice?
When you compare Sella basmati rice to other regular basmati rice, it primarily differs in its processing. Regular varieties of basmati rice are milled after harvesting, while sella basmati is first parboiled before milling.
3. How much is 1 kg of sella basmati rice?
Sella basmati rice price per kg ranges from INR 179 to 376, depending on the specific type.
4. How to find sella basmati rice buyers?
To find buyers of sella basmati rice, you can sign up on B2B platforms (such as go4WorldBusiness), attend trade fairs (Bharat International Rice Congress, Anuga, and others), and sell them to your local wholesale and retail companies.
5. How should I store Sella Basmati rice?
You should keep your sella basmati rice in an airtight container and keep it in a cool, dry, and dark place.
6. What does "Golden Sella" mean?
Golden sella refers to a particular type of basmati rice that has gone through a parboiling process before milling. That is the reason why it has a golden hue.
7. Does Sella Basmati rice have a longer shelf life?
Yes, as compared to other regular varieties, Sella basmati rice has a longer shelf life.
8. What is sella basmati rice used for?
Sella basmati rice is used for making biryani, pulao, fried rice, steamed rice, rice salads, rice pudding, and others.
9. How to identify sella basmati rice?
You can easily identify sella basmati rice with its color, which is usually golden to yellow.
10. What is the sella basmati rice HSN code?
10063020 is the sella basmati rice HSN code.
11. Is sella rice better than white rice?
Yes, it is considered a healthier option as compared to white rice, because sella rice has a lower glycemic index.
12. Is there strong global demand for Sella Basmati Rice?
Yes, there is a high demand for sella basmati rice. The global market size for this variety is expected to reach $7.8 billion by the year 2033, with Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Iran emerging as the largest demanding countries of the same.
13. What are the popular grades of Sella Basmati Rice for export?
The most popular grades of sella basmati rice are 1509 Golden Sella and 1121 Golden Sella.
14. Which countries import the most Sella Basmati Rice?
Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Iran are the top three largest importers of sella basmati rice.
Latest News Related to Sella Basmati Rice Global Trade:
70% of India's total rice exports from April 2023 to February 2024 (more than 4.67 MT in volume) went to Middle Eastern Countries. Analysts believe that export volumes are going to increase amidst the geopolitical tensions, especially the Iran-Israel conflict. (Full story: Global Agriculture)
