Key Highlights
- India exported 15.04 million tonnes of non-basmati rice worth ₹51,892 crore in FY 2025-26, reflecting the scale of its overseas rice trade.
- Benin, Bangladesh, Guinea, Togo and Côte d'Ivoire are among the key markets for Indian non-basmati rice.
- Varieties such as IR64, Swarna, Sona Masuri and Ponni serve different buyer preferences across international markets.
- Before exporting, businesses need to secure an IEC, obtain APEDA registration and complete RCAC formalities wherever applicable.
- Every shipment requires careful attention to quality checks, export documentation and the importing country's regulations.
- Tradologie helps Indian rice exporters connect with potential international buyers and explore overseas business opportunities.
Introduction:
A rice export order can look straightforward on paper when you look to export non-basmati rice from India : the buyer specifies a variety, the supplier quotes a price, and the shipment is arranged. The complications usually appear in the details. The buyer may require a particular broken percentage, the destination may have its own testing and certification rules, or the freight cost may make the agreed price difficult to sustain.
That is the reality businesses need to understand when they plan to export non-basmati rice from India . India shipped approximately 15.04 million metric tonnes of non-basmati rice worth ₹51,892 crore in FY2025-26, according to APEDA. Benin, Bangladesh, Guinea, Togo and Côte d'Ivoire were among the leading destinations by export value.
The market is not limited to one type of rice. Importers purchase different grades of white rice, parboiled rice and other non-basmati varieties for household consumption, wholesale distribution and food processing. An exporter needs to know which product a buyer wants, what the shipment will cost and which formalities must be completed before the cargo leaves India.
This informative blog piece will tell you how to export non-basmati rice from India to global markets. Let us get started.
How to Export Non-Basmati Rice from India
Step 1: Research International Markets
Start with the product, then look for the market if you want to export rice from India. A country importing large quantities of rice may still be a poor fit for your particular variety or price range.
West African markets such as Benin, Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire are worth researching, alongside Bangladesh and other established destinations. Before approaching buyers, look at current import demand, competing origins, local price levels and the rules governing the rice you intend to sell.
There are a few things worth checking before settling on a destination:
- Which varieties are importers buying?
- What quality specifications do they normally request?
- Are there import restrictions, duties or additional certification requirements?
- Can Indian rice compete after freight and other delivery costs?
- Are payment terms and the buyer's credentials acceptable?
Consider IR64 parboiled rice. A buyer looking for this product may have specific expectations about processing, grain appearance and broken percentage. Offering a different grade simply because it is cheaper is unlikely to help close the deal.
Step 2: Find Reliable Non-Basmati Rice Suppliers
Once you know what the market wants, approach mills, processors or established commodity suppliers that can provide the required grade.
The quotation is only one part of the decision. Ask about availability, processing capacity and how quickly the supplier can prepare the full quantity. A mill offering an attractive rate may not be able to deliver a large order within the buyer's shipping window.
The specifications should be clear before the purchase is finalised.
| What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Variety and grain length | Confirms that the rice matches the buyer's order |
| Broken percentage | Affects quality acceptance and the selling price |
| Moisture and foreign matter | Helps establish whether the rice meets the agreed specification |
| Processing method | Distinguishes raw rice from parboiled and other products |
| Quantity and availability | Reduces the risk of a short shipment or delayed dispatch |
| Sample and quality report | Gives the buyer a basis for approving the product before bulk procurement |
If the buyer approves a sample, make sure the consignment follows the same agreed specification. Differences between the sample and the shipped rice can lead to claims, deductions or rejection.
For businesses looking to export bulk non-basmati rice , this is particularly important. A small quality discrepancy across a large consignment can become a costly commercial dispute.
Step 3: Obtain the Required Export Registrations
The basic registrations are straightforward, but non-basmati rice has a product-specific requirement that exporters must factor into their plans.
An exporter generally needs:
- Import Export Code (IEC): Issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).
- APEDA e-RCMC: The applicable Registration-cum-Membership Certificate for the relevant agricultural export activity.
- FSSAI Licence: Food businesses involved in rice export may need an appropriate FSSAI licence, depending on their activities and applicable licensing requirements.
Business banking arrangements and applicable tax compliance should also be in place to handle export payments.
Official websites:
- DGFT: https://www.dgft.gov.in/
- APEDA: https://apeda.gov.in/
Do not assume that these registrations alone clear the way for shipment. The current export policy, rice classification and any additional conditions must be checked for the product being sold.
Step 4: Find International Rice Buyers
Buyers may include food importers, wholesale distributors, food processors, supermarket suppliers and commodity trading companies. Some purchase regularly, while others place orders according to local demand and price movements.
For Indian exporters, Tradologie can be one route to connecting with potential international buyers and discussing specific product requirements. Trade exhibitions, industry contacts, importer directories and direct outreach are other useful channels.
The first discussion should establish whether the enquiry can become a workable order. Find out the required variety, quantity, packaging, destination, delivery terms and payment arrangements. A buyer asking for a firm quotation should be able to explain the specification against which the offer will be assessed.
Before committing stock, verify the buyer's credentials and agree on payment terms. An overseas order is not automatically a sound transaction just because the quantity is large.
Step 5: Finalise the Export Contract and Applicable RCAC
Once the buyer and supplier agree on the product and price, put the commercial terms in writing. The contract should cover:
- Rice variety and quality specification.
- Quantity, packing and permitted tolerances.
- Price, currency and payment schedule.
- Shipment period and destination port.
- Agreed Incoterms and responsibility for freight and insurance.
- Procedure for handling quality disputes or claims.
There is also a regulatory requirement to address before shipment. Under DGFT Notification No. 33/2025-26, dated 24 September 2025, export contracts for specified non-basmati rice HS codes must be registered with APEDA. APEDA issues the Registration-cum-Allocation Certificate (RCAC) under the applicable procedure.
The notified codes include 10063011, 10063019, 10063091, 10063099 and 10064000. Exporters should confirm the correct classification and the latest registration conditions before proceeding.
A buyer's purchase order does not replace the required contract registration. Check the current APEDA instructions, required documents and applicable fees before fixing the shipment date.
Step 6: Complete Quality Testing, Inspection and Packaging
This is where the buyer's specification and the destination's rules come together. Rice may need laboratory testing, an inspection report or other evidence that it meets the agreed requirements. The exact checks depend on the product, the importing country and the terms of the contract.
For example, a buyer may request testing for moisture, broken percentage, foreign matter or other quality parameters. Depending on the destination, testing may also cover contaminants, pesticide residues or other food-safety concerns.
Third-party inspection may be requested by the buyer, written into the contract or required under a particular trade arrangement. It can provide an independent record of the quantity and condition of the goods. Agree in advance on who appoints the inspector, where the inspection takes place and who pays for it.
Packaging is equally dependent on the order. Common options include 5 kg, 10 kg, 25 kg and 50 kg bags, while some commercial buyers require bulk packaging. The final choice should suit the buyer's distribution arrangements and destination-country labelling rules.
For IR64 parboiled rice, confirm the variety, processing method and quality parameters before procurement. A general description such as “parboiled rice” may not be enough to satisfy a buyer who has specified a particular grade.
Step 7: Prepare the Export Documents
The document set is not identical for every shipment. Some documents are part of the normal export process, while others depend on the destination, the contract or the importing country's requirements.
| Document or certificate | When or why it is needed |
|---|---|
| IEC and APEDA e-RCMC | Core exporter registrations |
| RCAC | Required for applicable non-basmati rice contracts under the current policy |
| Commercial invoice and packing list | Record the sale, quantity, package details and weights |
| Shipping bill | Used for Indian customs export clearance |
| Bill of lading | Records sea shipment and carriage details |
| Certificate of origin | Where required by the buyer, destination or trade arrangement |
| Phytosanitary certificate | Required under the applicable plant-health and destination rules |
| Fumigation certificate | Where fumigation is required and the treatment must be documented |
| Laboratory testing report | Where required by the destination, buyer or contract |
| Third-party inspection certificate or report | Where requested by the buyer, contract or applicable scheme |
| Insurance certificate | Where cargo insurance is arranged and documentation is required |
| Letter of credit or other banking documents | Where required by the agreed payment arrangement |
Phytosanitary certification and fumigation are not interchangeable. A phytosanitary certificate is issued by the competent plant-quarantine authority under the applicable procedure. A fumigation certificate records a treatment carried out when required. Whether fumigation is necessary, which treatment is accepted and what additional declarations must appear on the certificate depend on the destination and shipment conditions.
Laboratory testing and third-party inspection should also be arranged early if they are part of the contract. Waiting until the rice has been packed or the vessel is about to sail can create avoidable delays.
APEDA's rice export requirements page sets out the general registrations and phytosanitary requirements, along with country-specific conditions. Exporters should check the current destination requirements rather than treating every item in this table as compulsory for every shipment.
Step 8: Arrange Shipping and Customs Clearance
With the product ready and the applicable documents in place, the exporter can arrange transport to the selected port. The right route depends on the mill's location, inland transport charges, container availability and the available sailing schedule.
A freight forwarder or customs broker can coordinate the practical work, including:
- Container booking and shipping schedules.
- Transport from the mill or warehouse to the port.
- Customs documentation and shipping bill filing.
- Cargo handling and loading arrangements.
- Preparation and release of shipping documents.
The exporter should compare the total cost of different routes rather than choosing a port based only on its ocean-freight quotation. A cheaper sailing may not offer a saving if inland transport and handling cost more.
After customs clearance and loading, the carrier issues the bill of lading. The exporter then shares the agreed documents with the buyer and follows the payment and document-release terms in the contract.
How to Calculate Non-Basmati Rice Export Costs
The purchase price of rice is only the starting point. The final quotation needs to account for the costs incurred before the goods reach the agreed delivery point.
| Cost component | What to include |
|---|---|
| Procurement | Rice purchase price |
| Processing and quality | Sorting, grading, laboratory testing and inspection |
| Packaging | Bags, labels and packing labour |
| Inland transport | Movement from the mill or warehouse to the port |
| Compliance | Applicable certificates, fumigation, inspection and documentation charges |
| Port and customs | Clearance, handling and container charges |
| Freight and insurance | According to the agreed delivery terms |
| Finance and banking | Bank charges, working capital and currency conversion |
| Margin and contingency | Allowance for commercial risks and the intended profit |
For a large shipment, a small difference in cost per tonne can have a meaningful effect on the overall return. Compare the full cost with current prices for the same variety and specification before making a firm offer.
FOB and CIF quotations also allocate costs and responsibilities differently. The price should reflect exactly what the exporter has agreed to cover.
Common Challenges in Non-Basmati Rice Export
The problems are often practical rather than complicated: the supplier cannot deliver the agreed grade, freight rates change, a certificate is missing, or the buyer delays payment. A shipment may also face trouble if the exporter overlooks a destination-specific testing or treatment requirement.
A few precautions help keep these risks manageable:
- Keep the product specification and quality tolerances in writing.
- Verify the buyer and agree on payment terms before committing stock.
- Confirm the supplier can deliver the full quantity on schedule.
- Check the current export policy and RCAC requirements.
- Confirm phytosanitary, fumigation, testing and inspection requirements for the destination.
- Arrange certificates and inspections early enough to meet the shipping window.
- Calculate the full delivered cost before accepting the order.
For a business entering the trade, a manageable first consignment can be a useful way to test the supplier, buyer and logistics arrangements before moving to larger volumes.
Conclusion
India's non-basmati rice trade covers a wide range of varieties and international markets. Getting a shipment right requires more than finding a buyer and booking a vessel. The rice must match the order, the commercial terms must work, and the applicable registrations, inspections and certificates must be in place.
Whether the aim is to export rice from India for the first time or build a regular bulk supply business, careful preparation before confirming the order gives the exporter a firmer footing for repeat trade
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