India's non-basmati rice trade covers everything from affordable rice supplied in bulk to varieties preferred for their distinctive taste and cooking qualities. For anyone asking can we export non-basmati rice from India , the answer is yes, subject to the export policy and documentation requirements applicable to the particular rice category. India supplies markets across Africa, Asia and other regions, but success depends on sourcing the right variety, understanding the buyer's specifications and calculating a price that works for both sides.
An exporter dealing in IR64 rice for a West African importer, for instance, may face different commercial expectations from someone supplying Sona Masuri to a buyer familiar with South Indian rice. Grain quality, broken percentage, processing, packaging and the final landed cost all influence purchasing decisions. Before entering this trade, it is worth understanding the varieties available, the markets importing Indian rice and the steps required to ship it legally.
India's Non-Basmati Rice Export Market
India is one of the world's major suppliers of non-basmati rice. According to APEDA, the country exported approximately 15.01 million metric tonnes of non-basmati rice, valued at US$5.82 billion, during FY 2025-26.
Benin, Bangladesh, Guinea, Togo and Côte d'Ivoire were among the leading destinations during this period. West African markets are important outlets for Indian rice, while Bangladesh and other Asian markets provide additional opportunities depending on demand, domestic production and prevailing trade conditions.
These figures show the scale of the trade, but they do not mean every variety will sell equally well in every country. An importer purchasing rice for mass-market distribution may focus heavily on price and consistency. Another buyer may require a particular grain length, degree of whiteness, broken percentage or cooking characteristic. Exporters should understand these preferences before committing to a supplier or quoting a shipment.
Basmati rice is another significant part of India's rice export business. However, it is a separate product category with different grain characteristics, aroma and buyer expectations. Understanding the distinction helps exporters choose the right market and describe their products accurately.
Types of Non-Basmati Rice Exported From India
- IR64: A widely traded variety often considered for bulk orders and price-sensitive markets.
- Sona Masuri: A medium-grain variety associated with southern India, particularly relevant to buyers familiar with its cooking characteristics.
- Swarna: A widely cultivated variety that can suit markets seeking competitively priced rice.
- Ponni: Commonly associated with South Indian consumption and suitable for buyers seeking this particular variety.
- HMT: A variety that may appeal to buyers looking for specific grain and cooking qualities.
- Kolam: A variety associated with Indian regional markets and relevant to importers serving customers familiar with it.
- Kalanamak: A traditional aromatic rice variety that can appeal to more specialised buyers.
- Jeera Samba: A short-grain variety known for its distinctive characteristics and use in particular regional cuisines.
These varieties are not interchangeable simply because they fall under the non-basmati category. An exporter should confirm the exact variety, crop year, moisture content, broken percentage, foreign matter limits and processing requirements before accepting an order.
Samples are particularly useful when the buyer has specific expectations. A sample approved before contracting gives both sides a clearer reference point for the quality that must be supplied.
Types of Basmati Rice: What Exporters Should Know
Although this article focuses on non-basmati rice, exporters may also encounter basmati varieties while dealing with rice mills and international buyers. Knowing the difference helps avoid confusion in product descriptions, pricing and export documentation.
Some recognised basmati varieties include:
- Pusa Basmati 1121: Known for its extra-long grain and substantial elongation after cooking.
- Pusa Basmati 1509: An established variety available in different milling and processing forms.
- Pusa Basmati 1718: A basmati variety developed through India's agricultural breeding programmes.
- Pusa Basmati 1401: Another recognised variety in the Indian basmati market.
- Traditional Basmati: Valued for its characteristic aroma, grain quality and cooking properties.
Basmati is also sold in different processing forms, including raw white, steam and parboiled or sella rice. These describe how the rice has been processed rather than necessarily identifying a different variety.
For exporters, the commercial distinction is important. A buyer looking for extra-long aromatic basmati is not necessarily a suitable prospect for a non-basmati shipment. Product descriptions, HS codes and export-policy conditions must match the rice actually being sold.
How to Export Non-Basmati Rice From India
The process of exporting non-basmati rice from India starts with establishing the business, selecting a suitable variety and checking the rules that apply to the proposed shipment. The paperwork matters, but so does the commercial groundwork: an exporter needs a dependable supplier, a genuine buyer and an agreed specification.
1. Register Your Export Business
An Indian business generally needs an Import Export Code (IEC) issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). Rice exporters should also complete the applicable registration with APEDA through an e-Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (e-RCMC).
The business model should be decided early. A merchant exporter can purchase rice from an established mill and concentrate on buyer relationships, specifications and shipment coordination. A processor or mill-based exporter may manage more of the production and quality-control process directly.
Whichever model you choose, make sure the supplier can consistently meet the required quality and quantity.
2. Check the Current Export Policy and RCAC Requirements
Rice export conditions can differ according to the product category and HS code. Government notifications may also change the conditions applicable to a particular variety or form of rice.
APEDA's guidance includes Registration-cum-Allocation Certificate (RCAC) requirements for covered rice export contracts. Specified non-basmati rice categories are subject to contract-registration requirements under the applicable DGFT policy and APEDA procedures.
Before confirming a shipment, check the current export policy for the exact HS code and verify whether an RCAC is required. The steps to export non-basmati rice from India should not be treated as identical for every rice category.
Do not rely solely on an old shipment document, a supplier's assurance or a previous exporter's experience. Confirm the current requirements for your own transaction.
3. Select the Rice and Finalise Specifications
Once the product's export status is clear, approach reliable mills and suppliers. Ask for samples, current prices and written specifications.
A buyer may specify:
- Rice variety and crop year
- Grain length and appearance
- Maximum broken percentage
- Moisture and foreign matter limits
- Sortex or other processing requirements
- Bag size, packaging material and branding
- Quantity and shipment schedule
The more clearly these details are agreed upon, the easier it is to avoid disagreements when the cargo reaches its destination. If the buyer approves a sample, retain a reference sample and make sure the final shipment matches the agreed specification.
4. Find Buyers in Suitable Importing Countries
Choosing a market is not simply a matter of approaching countries that import large quantities of rice. The variety you can supply, your purchase price, freight costs and the buyer's requirements all affect whether an order makes commercial sense.
For Indian non-basmati rice, Benin, Bangladesh, Guinea, Togo and Côte d'Ivoire are among the important importing markets identified in APEDA's FY 2025-26 data. Exporters exploring these destinations should investigate local demand for specific rice varieties, prevailing prices, packaging preferences and the competition from other supplying countries.
Basmati rice has a different set of established markets, including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen and the United States. These destinations may be relevant if a business also deals in basmati, but their demand should not be assumed to represent demand for non-basmati rice.
Importers can be approached through trade fairs, industry networks, trade directories and B2B platforms such as Tradologie. Before agreeing to supply, verify the buyer's business credentials, payment capability, product requirements and expected delivery schedule.
5. Understand the Destination Country's Import Rules
Indian export documentation is only one part of the process. The importing country may have its own requirements for food safety, plant health, labelling and customs clearance.
Depending on the destination and product, the exporter may need to arrange:
- Compliance with applicable food-safety standards and pesticide residue limits
- Phytosanitary documentation or other plant-health requirements, where applicable
- Fumigation or laboratory testing, where required
- Correct packaging and labelling
- Import permits or registrations
- Certificates of origin and other destination-specific documents
Some markets have additional conditions for rice imported from India. For example, APEDA's guidance identifies specific requirements for certain destinations, including establishment-related conditions for rice exports to the United States and China. Requirements can change, so exporters should confirm the current rules with the relevant authorities and their importers before dispatch.
A buyer should not be expected to resolve every compliance issue after the shipment arrives. Agreeing on responsibilities before loading helps reduce the risk of delays, additional costs or rejected consignments.
6. Prepare the Export Documents
The final document set depends on the product, destination, payment arrangement and sales contract. Common documents include:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Shipping bill
- Bill of lading
- Certificate of origin, where required
- Phytosanitary certificate, where applicable
- Fumigation or laboratory certificates, where required
- APEDA RCAC for covered export contracts
- Insurance documents, where applicable
The commercial invoice and packing list should accurately reflect the goods being shipped. Product descriptions, quantity, packaging, consignee details and other contract particulars should be checked for consistency.
Where an RCAC is required, ensure the contract and shipment details meet APEDA's applicable requirements and validity conditions.
7. Calculate the Export Price
Rice exports can involve substantial costs beyond the purchase price of the commodity. Before sending a quotation, calculate the cost of procurement, processing, grading, packaging, inland transport, port handling, inspection, documentation and ocean freight. Include insurance and other charges where applicable.
The agreed Incoterm also affects the costs and responsibilities of the seller and buyer. A price quoted on an FOB basis is not directly comparable with a CIF price unless the additional costs and responsibilities are accounted for.
Payment terms deserve equal attention. Depending on the buyer and transaction, exporters may consider advance payment or a letter of credit. Verify the buyer's credibility and ensure the payment arrangement is clear before committing to procurement and shipment.
A large order is not necessarily a profitable order. The final price must cover the costs and risks of completing the transaction.
8. Arrange Shipment and Monitor Delivery
Once the contract, documents and applicable approvals are in place, coordinate with the freight forwarder and customs broker. Containerised shipping is common for packaged rice, although the appropriate arrangement depends on the quantity, port, packaging and buyer's requirements.
Before dispatch, check the quantity loaded, bag markings, container condition, seal number and shipping instructions. Confirm that the documents match the actual cargo and share the relevant shipping information with the buyer.
Keep records of the contract, approvals, quality checks, shipping documents and payment. These records are useful for resolving disputes and managing repeat orders.
Steps to Export Non-Basmati Rice From India: A Practical Checklist
For businesses preparing their first shipment, the steps to export non-basmati rice from India can be summarised as follows:
- Obtain an IEC and complete the applicable APEDA registration.
- Identify the rice variety and verify its current export-policy status.
- Find a reliable supplier and confirm the quality specifications.
- Research importing countries and identify suitable buyers.
- Check destination-specific food-safety, plant-health and import requirements.
- Agree on the price, quantity, packaging, delivery terms and payment conditions.
- Register the export contract and obtain an RCAC where required.
- Arrange inspection, certificates, customs clearance and shipment.
- Send the shipping documents to the buyer and monitor payment and delivery.
The process of exporting non-basmati rice from India becomes easier to manage when product specifications, compliance requirements and commercial terms are settled before the cargo is prepared.
Conclusion
Exporting non-basmati rice from India requires more than finding an overseas buyer and arranging a shipment. The variety must match the buyer's requirements, the price must remain competitive after logistics costs, and the necessary export and import formalities must be completed before dispatch.
For new exporters, starting with a reliable rice supplier and one clearly identified target market is a practical way to understand the business. Check the current export policy for the specific rice category, complete the applicable APEDA formalities and confirm the importing country's requirements before committing to an order.
With the right product, a dependable supply chain and clear commercial terms, Indian exporters can explore opportunities in established markets across Africa and Asia while building relationships for repeat business.
