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Non-Basmati Rice Export from India: Types, Grades & Buyer’s Guide

When most people think of Indian rice exports, they think of basmati. But non-basmati rice is actually the larger volume category — and for importers focused on price-sensitive markets, food aid procurement, institutional supply, or everyday retail, it represents some of the best sourcing value available anywhere in the world.

India is the world’s largest exporter of non-basmati rice, shipping tens of millions of metric tonnes annually to destinations across Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Varieties like PR11, IR64, Sugandha, and Sharbati are staples in hundreds of millions of households globally — they just receive less marketing attention than their fragrant basmati counterparts.

This guide is designed for importers, distributors, wholesale buyers, and procurement managers who need a practical, detailed reference for sourcing non-basmati rice from India. We cover all seven varieties supplied by Bansal FineFoods, how processing grades affect your buying decision, key quality specifications, and a market-to-variety matching guide so you can identify the right product for your customer base.

1. What Is Non-Basmati Rice — and Why Does It Matter for Exporters?

Non-basmati rice refers to all rice varieties grown in India that do not carry the “basmati” designation. While basmati is defined by its geographic origin (specific districts in Haryana, Punjab, UP) and its characteristic aroma compound (2-AP), non-basmati rice is a broad category encompassing dozens of varieties with different grain shapes, sizes, textures, and use cases.

Key distinctions for international buyers:

For buyers targeting West Africa, East Africa, the Caribbean, South/Southeast Asia, or institutional procurement, non-basmati rice is almost always the primary product category. The margins are thinner per unit, but the volumes are significantly larger — and consistent year-round demand means predictable reorder cycles.

2. The Seven Non-Basmati Varieties from Bansal FineFoods

Bansal FineFoods exports seven non-basmati rice varieties, each suited to different markets and use cases. Here is a complete reference guide for buyers:

2.1 Sugandha Rice — The Aromatic Value Option

Sugandha Rice →

Sugandha rice occupies a unique position in the non-basmati market — it has mild basmati-like aroma and relatively long grains (7.80–7.85 mm) that give it premium-adjacent appeal at a non-basmati price point. The name “Sugandha” literally means fragrance in Hindi, and buyers in price-sensitive markets who still want an aromatic rice experience often prefer it over plainer non-basmati options.

Best markets: CIS countries (Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan), price-sensitive Middle East buyers, North Africa, parts of Southeast Asia. Also popular as a lower-cost alternative to 1509 Basmati in markets where consumers want some aroma but full basmati pricing is a barrier.

Available grades: Sugandha Creamy Rice | Sugandha Golden Rice | Sugandha Steam Rice

2.2 Sharbati Rice — The Soft, Creamy Everyday Rice

Sharbati Rice →

Sharbati rice is India’s premium everyday rice — a long-grain variety with a distinctive soft, buttery texture when cooked. The name comes from the Hindi word “Sharbat” (nectar), reflecting its slightly sweet taste profile. Grains measure 7.05–7.10 mm, placing it in the long-grain category without the full price premium of basmati.

Sharbati is a strong performer in markets where consumers want restaurant-quality texture at accessible pricing. Its soft, non-sticky cook makes it ideal for everyday rice dishes, biryanis on a budget, and hotel/catering operations that serve large volumes at multiple price points.

Best markets: GCC (budget and mid-range hospitality), MENA region, West Africa (urban markets), South Asian diaspora communities in UK and Canada seeking a basmati substitute.

Available grades: Sharbati Creamy Rice | Sharbati Golden Rice | Sharbati Steam Rice

2.3 PR11 Rice — India’s Highest-Volume Export Variety

PR11 Rice →

PR11 (Punjab Rice 11) is India’s single most exported non-basmati rice variety — a long-grain white rice developed in Punjab that delivers consistent grain uniformity, high yield, and reliable quality at scale. If you have imported non-basmati rice from India in volume, you have almost certainly bought PR11 at some point.

Available in four processing grades — Creamy Sella, Golden Sella, Steam, and Raw — PR11 is the workhorse of India’s rice export industry. It feeds food aid programmes, fills supermarket shelves in West Africa, supplies hotel buffets across the Middle East, and stocks the mills of food processors on every continent.

Available grades: PR11 Creamy Sella | PR11 Golden Sella | PR11 Steam Rice | PR11 Raw Rice

2.4 PR106 Rice — The Compact Grain for South Asian Diaspora

PR106 Rice →

PR106 (Punjab Rice 106) is a medium-to-long grain rice variety with a shorter, slightly rounder profile than PR11. It is a staple in everyday cooking across India’s northern states and has strong demand in diaspora markets — particularly among South Asian communities in the UK, Canada, and the UAE who prefer a slightly stickier, more familiar grain texture for everyday meals, as opposed to the fluffy, separated grain of basmati or PR11.

Available in Creamy Sella grade, PR106 offers good shelf life and consistent quality. Its compact grain shape makes it popular in certain Asian cuisines that prefer a medium-grain texture, and it finds a niche in rice pudding, congee, and thick rice porridge applications globally.

Best markets: South Asian diaspora (UK, Canada, UAE), South Asia domestic and regional trade, specialty Asian grocers in Europe.

Available grades: PR106 Creamy Sella Rice

2.5 IR64 Rice — The Global Standard for Food Aid & Institutional Buyers

IR64 Rice →

IR64 is an IRRI-developed semi-dwarf variety (International Rice Research Institute) that became one of the most widely grown and traded rice varieties in the world during the Green Revolution. Its consistent grain quality, high yield, and resilience in humid growing conditions made it the backbone of global food security programmes.

For importers, IR64 is the standard procurement rice for WFP, USAID, and government food aid programmes — its Parboiled grade carries 24+ month shelf life, high tolerance for humid storage, and meets international food safety specifications out of the box. IR64 White is the equivalent for retail and foodservice buyers who need a reliable, clean, medium-long grain white rice at competitive pricing.

Available grades: IR64 Parboiled Rice | IR64 White Rice

2.6 RH10 Rice — Value Pricing for High-Volume Markets

RH10 Rice →

RH10 (Rohtak Hybrid 10) is a medium-long grain parboiled variety grown predominantly in Haryana. It offers consistent grain size, reliable 94% purity, and is available in Creamy Sella grade — making it an attractive value option for high-volume buyers who require a step down from premium non-basmati varieties in price while maintaining acceptable grain quality for bulk retail.

RH10 is not as widely known internationally as PR11 or IR64, but its competitive pricing makes it a preferred choice for volume-sensitive procurement — particularly in markets where the buyer is supplying to price-aware consumers in secondary cities or rural distribution networks across Africa and South Asia.

Best markets: West Africa (secondary tier retail), South/Southeast Asia, budget bulk wholesale programmes.

Available grades: RH10 Creamy Sella Rice

2.7 Round Rice — The Short-Grain Staple for Global Cuisines

Round Rice →

Round Rice (also called short-grain or small-grain rice) is a compact, pearly-white grain variety with a slightly sticky texture when cooked. It is used across an exceptionally diverse range of global cuisines — from Indian khichdi and congee to European rice pudding, Middle Eastern stuffed dishes, and even as a risotto or sushi substitute at lower price points.

India’s Round White Rice carries clean grain, consistent size, and 94% purity. For importers, it is a niche but consistent product that fills specific buyer needs that long-grain varieties cannot — anywhere a slightly sticky, compact-grain texture is preferred, Round Rice delivers.

Best markets: Europe (rice pudding/dessert applications), Latin America, East Asia (as a budget substitute for medium-grain Asian rice), Middle East (stuffed vegetable dishes), South Asia.

Available grades: Round White Rice

3. Processing Grades Explained: What Every Non-Basmati Buyer Must Know

Unlike basmati — where naming is heavily regulated — non-basmati rice processing grades are somewhat standardised across the industry. Understanding them prevents costly mismatches between what you order and what your market expects.

4. Non-Basmati Rice Export Quality Specifications

Always request a full Certificate of Analysis (CoA) and product specification sheet before confirming any order. Below are the standard parameters for export-grade non-basmati rice from India — and what to watch for:

5. Market-to-Variety Matching Guide

Non-basmati rice is not one-size-fits-all. Matching the right variety and grade to your target market is as important as price negotiation. Use this guide as your starting reference:

6. India’s Non-Basmati Rice Export: Key Market Data

Understanding the macro context helps buyers anticipate supply fluctuations and negotiate with confidence.

7. Certifications to Require from Your Non-Basmati Rice Supplier

The non-basmati segment is highly competitive, and quality varies enormously between suppliers. Certifications are your primary due-diligence tool before committing to a supplier relationship:

Bansal FineFoods holds all major certifications including APEDA, ISO, HACCP, BRC, Halal, FDA, FSSAI, GMP, FIEO, Kosher, and 3-Star Export House status — covering all 73 countries we actively supply.

8. Basmati vs Non-Basmati: How to Advise Your Customers

Many buyers ask us how to position non-basmati rice alongside or instead of basmati for their market. Here is a practical framework:

9. Why Source Non-Basmati Rice from Bansal FineFoods?

10. Explore Each Non-Basmati Variety in Detail

Each variety has a dedicated product guide on our website with full specification tables for all available processing grades:

• Sugandha Rice — Aromatic Value Option (Creamy, Golden, Steam)
• Sharbati Rice — Soft & Creamy Everyday Rice (Creamy, Golden, Steam)
• PR11 Rice — India’s Highest-Volume Export Variety (Creamy Sella, Golden Sella, Steam, Raw)
• PR106 Rice — Compact Grain for South Asian Diaspora Markets (Creamy Sella)
• IR64 Rice — Global Standard for Food Aid & Institutional Buyers (Parboiled, White)
• RH10 Rice — Value Pricing for High-Volume Markets (Creamy Sella)
• Round Rice — Short-Grain Staple for Global Cuisines (White Milled)

Also explore our complete Basmati Rice Exporter and Supplier guide → if you source or compare both categories.

Conclusion

Non-basmati rice from India is the backbone of global rice supply — higher volume, lower price, and available in a broader range of grain types and processing grades than basmati. Whether you are importing IR64 Parboiled for a food aid programme, PR11 Golden Sella for West African wholesale, Sugandha Creamy for CIS retail, or Round Rice for European specialty use, India’s non-basmati export supply chain is deep, reliable, and price-competitive.

The key to successful non-basmati sourcing is specificity: always name the variety, the processing grade, the broken grain %, and the moisture specification in your purchase order. Vague orders produce inconsistent results. The seven varieties covered in this guide each serve distinct markets — and using the right one for your channel is what separates a satisfied customer base from high return rates and quality complaints.

Bansal FineFoods has been supplying international buyers for over 85 years. If you are looking for a reliable, certified, and high-capacity non-basmati rice export partner in India, we would welcome the conversation.

About Bansal FineFoods

Bansal FineFoods is a 3-Star Export Trading House certified by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, exporting premium agri-products to 73 countries since 1940. Our product range includes basmati and non-basmati rice, pulses, spices, seeds, and nuts — all processed at our 350,000 sq ft facility in Karnal, Haryana using German Bühler machinery.

Website: bansalfinefoods.com  |  Email: info@bffpl.com  |  Phone: +91-83989-10400