Non-Basmati Rice
Exporter from India
Bulk supplier of Indian non-Basmati rice to importers, distributors, wholesalers, government buyers and private label brands across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and beyond. We export IR64, Sona Masoori, Swarna, Ponni, parboiled, white and broken rice (5%, 25% and 100%) in sortex and standard mill grades, with complete export documentation, reliable container execution and market-matched packaging.
Why non-Basmati rice from India
is the world's bulk staple
Non-Basmati rice is the volume engine of the global rice trade. It feeds household consumption, food-security programs, institutional kitchens and price-sensitive retail across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. India is the world's largest rice exporter, and non-Basmati makes up the majority of what it ships. Where Basmati is a premium aromatic product, non-Basmati is about consistency, affordability and dependable supply at scale.
Non-Basmati rice accounts for roughly 70% of India's total rice export volume and close to half its export value. India ships rice to around 172 countries, and for non-Basmati the centre of gravity is Africa and Asia rather than the Gulf and Europe that dominate Basmati. The product range spans long-grain white rice, parboiled rice, the popular IR64 grade, regional table-rice varieties like Sona Masoori and Ponni, and broken rice in 5%, 25% and 100% grades for different price tiers and culinary uses.
The single largest non-Basmati market is West Africa. Benin is India's biggest non-Basmati rice buyer, and the top five non-Basmati destinations (Benin, Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, Togo and Bangladesh) together account for around 44% of non-Basmati export volume. Parboiled rice in particular is a West African staple, while IR64 and raw white rice move heavily into Southeast Asia, and regional varieties serve the South Asian and diaspora markets.
For non-Basmati, the buyer's real concerns are different from premium rice. The defining specification is broken percentage (the proportion of broken grains in the lot), followed by sortex finish, moisture, crop year and freedom from admixture and foreign matter. Getting these right, consistently, across repeat container shipments, is what separates a dependable supplier from a costly one.
At Alstoe India Exports, we treat non-Basmati rice as a market-matched export solution, not a faceless commodity. We help importers select the right variety, broken grade, finish, packing format and shipment terms for their destination market and price point, and we back every lot with documented specifications, sortex grading where required, and the complete export document set that customs and food-security tenders demand.
Non-Basmati rice varieties
we export from India
Different markets buy non-Basmati rice for different reasons: price point, grain type, cooking behaviour, retail preference or public-distribution demand. We help importers match the right variety and grade to their destination and end use.
| Variety | Grain Type | Grades / Forms | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| IR64 Rice Most Traded | Long grain, non-aromatic | Raw white, parboiled, sortex, non-sortex; 5% / 25% broken | Bulk importers, wholesale trade, West Africa, price-sensitive markets |
| Sona Masoori Rice | Medium grain, lightweight | Raw white, steam, premium retail | Household retail, health-focused consumers, South Indian and diaspora markets |
| Swarna Rice | Medium grain, table rice | Raw, parboiled | Mass-market food supply, distributors, institutional demand |
| Ponni Rice | Soft-cooking, South Indian type | Raw white, boiled, steam | South Indian diaspora, retail chains, food service |
| Parboiled Rice | Processed for strength & shelf life | Long grain, medium grain, sortex; 5% / 25% broken | West Africa, tropical markets, long shelf life, institutional supply |
| White Rice (Raw) | Polished non-Basmati | Sortex, silky sortex, regular mill grades | Retail packs, supermarkets, standard table-rice markets |
| Broken Rice | Long / medium grain fragments | 5%, 25%, 100% broken | West Africa staple, breweries, food processing, economy retail |
Raw, Steam, Parboiled
and Sortex finishes
Non-Basmati rice is supplied in several processing forms and finishes. The right choice depends on your market's cooking preference, shelf-life needs and retail tier. We help you pick the form that fits your destination.
Raw (White)
Milled and polished without parboiling. Clean white grains and a soft cooking texture. The standard table-rice form for retail and household consumption across Asia and diaspora markets.
Steam
Lightly steam-processed before milling for firmer, less-sticky grain with lower breakage. Popular for varieties like Sona Masoori and Ponni where a separated, fluffy cook is preferred.
Parboiled (Sella)
Parboiled in the husk for hard, sturdy grains, long shelf life and excellent grain separation. The dominant form in West Africa and tropical markets. Available long and medium grain.
Sortex Finish
Colour-sorted by optical sortex machines to remove discoloured grains, stones and foreign matter. Available as premium silky-sortex for retail or economy grades for bulk. Non-sortex offered for the most price-sensitive markets.
Broken percentage:
the spec that defines the price
For non-Basmati rice, broken percentage is the single most important commercial specification. It is the proportion of broken grains in the lot, and it sets both the price tier and the end use. Below are the three standard broken grades we supply, in white and parboiled forms.
Eight sourcing risks
and how we remove them
Non-Basmati rice is a high-volume, thin-margin trade, which means a single quality or documentation slip can wipe out the profit on a container. After working through what goes wrong for importers across Africa, Asia and the Middle East, the same eight risks recur. Here is how Alstoe handles each one.
Broken percentage higher than agreed.
The defining non-Basmati fraud. A lot sold as 5% broken arrives at 15 to 25%, or 25% broken arrives closer to 40%. Since broken percentage sets the price, even a small drift transfers real money from buyer to seller, and damages the importer's own resale quality.
Broken grade locked and lab verified
The agreed broken percentage is fixed in writing on the order confirmation and verified by lab analysis on the Certificate of Analysis for every lot. Pre-shipment composite samples and optional third-party inspection (SGS, Intertek) at loading confirm the container matches the contracted grade.
Old crop disguised as new, and infestation.
Old or distressed stock is blended in or sold as fresh crop. Old rice can carry weevils, moth larvae or a musty smell that only shows up after the container has crossed an ocean, leaving the importer with unsellable bags and rejection at retail.
Crop year declared and fumigation done right
We declare crop year and season on the quote, source fresh-crop stock for quality-sensitive orders, and fumigate every container to certified standards with a fumigation certificate. Proper bagging and container lining protect against transit moisture and pest ingress on long routes.
High moisture means weight fraud and spoilage.
Rice shipped above safe moisture weighs more, so the buyer pays for water, and it is prone to caking, odour and mould on tropical routes to West Africa and Southeast Asia. A 2 to 3% moisture excess across a container is a real hidden cost plus a spoilage risk.
Moisture certified at safe levels
Moisture is tested and certified at standard safe levels (typically max 14% for non-Basmati) on the Certificate of Analysis for every consignment. Combined with correct bagging and container lining for humid routes, your rice arrives at the right weight and in sound, storable condition.
Admixture, stones and foreign matter.
Non-sortex bulk rice can arrive with stones, husk, mud balls, paddy grains and admixture of other varieties. For retail and government-tender buyers this fails inspection, and for everyone it means customer complaints and rejected lots.
Sortex grading and foreign-matter specs
We offer optical sortex and silky-sortex grades that remove discoloured grains, stones and foreign matter, with foreign-matter and admixture limits stated on the specification. For economy buyers we are transparent about non-sortex tolerances up front, so there are no surprises at destination.
Policy uncertainty after the 2023 ban.
India's July 2023 ban on non-Basmati white rice exports left importers stranded mid-contract and wary of depending on Indian supply. Buyers now fear that another sudden policy change could cut off their supply line without warning.
Open market plus clear, honest communication
Non-Basmati exports have been fully free since October 2024, backed by record Indian production and high stocks. We track policy closely, communicate the current position honestly on every quote, and structure contracts and shipment timing to protect you. If policy ever shifts, you hear it from us first, not at the port.
Freight, transit and port congestion to Africa.
Long ocean routes to West and East Africa, port congestion and demurrage can turn a good price into a loss. Delays, rolled bookings and unclear shipment timing leave importers unable to plan their own onward distribution.
Reliable routing and realistic timelines
We ship from major Indian ports with established Africa and Asia routes, give realistic loading and transit estimates up front, and keep you updated through booking, loading and sailing. We quote FOB, CIF and CFR so you can choose how much of the logistics you want us to carry.
Documentation gaps stall government tenders.
Much African and Asian non-Basmati demand flows through government and institutional tenders with precise documentation rules. A missing certificate, wrong HS code or non-compliant label can hold a container, trigger penalties or disqualify a tender supply.
Complete, tender-ready document set
We prepare the full export document set (commercial invoice, packing list, BL, COA, Phytosanitary, Certificate of Origin, fumigation, and destination-specific certificates) accurately, on time, and pre-aligned to your customs broker or tender requirement. Documentation discipline is treated as part of the product.
Quality drifts after the first good order.
A supplier sends an excellent first container to win the account, then quietly drops broken grade, finish or crop quality on repeat orders once the buyer is committed. The importer ends up re-inspecting every shipment and constantly renegotiating.
Same spec, every order
We hold variety, broken grade, finish and quality constant across repeat orders, with the same lab testing and documentation every time. Our model is built around stable, repeat trading relationships and lot consistency, not one-off spot deals.
Sourced across India's
major rice belts
Unlike Basmati, which is grown only in the northern GI belt, non-Basmati rice is cultivated across much of India. This broad base gives us flexible, year-round supply of different varieties and grades, sourced close to the mills best suited to each type.
Punjab & Haryana
West Bengal, Chhattisgarh & Odisha
Andhra, Telangana & Karnataka
Tamil Nadu
The specs buyers
actually ask for
Most international non-Basmati inquiries are structured around grade, broken percentage, finish, moisture, packing and shipment terms. Every lot is documented against the specifications you agree, with a Certificate of Analysis per consignment.
Quality Parameters
- Broken grains5% / 25% / 100% (as agreed)
- Moisture contentMax 14% (typical)
- Average grain lengthVariety dependent
- AdmixtureWithin agreed tolerance
- Damaged / discoloured grainsWithin agreed tolerance
- Chalky grainsWithin agreed tolerance
- Foreign matterSortex: nil to minimal
- Milling degreeWell milled / double polished
Trade & Compliance
- FinishSortex / silky sortex / non-sortex
- FormsRaw, Steam, Parboiled
- Crop yearDeclared per lot
- Export statusFree (no ban, no MEP)
- APEDA registrationActive exporter
- FSSAI complianceYes
- FumigationCertified per container
- Third-party inspectionSGS / Intertek on request
Packaging for wholesale,
retail and private label
Non-Basmati packaging varies by buyer type, distribution model and retail strategy. We match the format to your channel, from food-security bulk bags to shelf-ready branded retail packs.
Where Indian non-Basmati rice
sees strong demand
Non-Basmati rice is most relevant in high-volume food markets where value, stability and regular supply matter most. Africa and Asia lead the demand, with steady growth in the Middle East and emerging markets in Latin America and Eastern Europe.
Buyer categories we support
Our supply structure serves both commodity-style bulk buyers and brand-driven private-label customers, matching variety, grade, finish and packing to each buyer model.
Wholesale Importers & Traders
Bulk rice traders and distributors sourcing containerised non-Basmati for onward sale into regional markets. Need price, consistency and reliable repeat supply.
Best fit: IR64, parboiled, 25% broken, 50 kg bagsRetail Chains & Supermarkets
Grocery chains and supermarkets stocking branded and own-label table rice. Need clean sortex grain and shelf-ready retail packs.
Best fit: 5% broken sortex, Sona Masoori, 1 / 5 kg packsGovernment & Tender Buyers
Food-security programs and institutional procurement, especially across Africa and Asia, where documentation discipline and shipment reliability are essential.
Best fit: Parboiled, 25% broken, bulk, full docsFood Service & Institutions
Hotels, caterers, labor-camp caterers and institutional kitchens needing stable cooking performance at volume and consistent price.
Best fit: Parboiled, IR64, 25 / 50 kg bulkPrivate Label Brands
D2C, retail and e-commerce brands building own-label rice lines. Need custom artwork, destination-compliant labelling and dependable quality.
Best fit: Custom packaging, OEM, sortex gradesProcessors & Industry
Breweries, food processors, starch, pet-food and snack manufacturers using broken rice and standard grades as an industrial input.
Best fit: 100% broken, bulk, economy gradesHow to import non-Basmati
rice from India
A simple, transparent and fully documented process from first enquiry to delivered container.
Export documents with
every rice shipment
Documentation quality matters as much as product quality in bulk rice trade, especially for government tenders. We prepare a complete, accurate, destination-aware document set for every shipment.
Request a non-Basmati
rice export quote
Share your requirement and we will respond within 24 hours with suitable varieties, broken grade options, packaging and commercial next steps.
Non-Basmati rice import
questions, answered
The questions importers, distributors and tender buyers ask most often before placing their first non-Basmati order. For anything not covered, get in touch and we respond within 24 hours.
Which non-Basmati rice varieties do you export from India?
Can India freely export non-Basmati rice now, after the 2023 ban?
What does broken percentage mean and which grade do I need?
What is the difference between Basmati and non-Basmati rice?
Which non-Basmati rice is best for bulk import?
Do you export parboiled rice?
What is the minimum order quantity?
Which countries do you export non-Basmati rice to?
Do you provide sortex (colour-sorted) rice?
Can you provide private label packaging for non-Basmati rice?
What documents do you provide for non-Basmati rice exports?
What payment terms do you accept?
How is rice protected against moisture and pests in transit?
What is the HS code for non-Basmati rice?
Can you supply against government and food-security tenders?
Why source non-Basmati rice from India rather than elsewhere?
Ready to source non-Basmati rice from India?
Share your market, variety, broken grade and packing requirement. We respond within 24 hours with a detailed quotation, sample availability and clear commercial next steps.