Everyone talks about Basmati rice. YouTube is flooded with "How to Export Basmati Rice" videos. LinkedIn has a thousand posts about 1121 Sella.
But here's what the data actually says: Non-Basmati rice accounts for 70% of India's total rice export volume and crossed $6.38 Billion in 2024-25. White rice (non-basmati) alone grew 86.6% year-on-year. Parboiled rice hit $4,344 Million. Broken rice surged 63%.
While everyone was chasing the Basmati premium, the real volume and the real money was flowing through IR-64, Sona Masoori, Swarna, and PR-11 to 172+ countries.
This is the guide I wish someone had given me when we started handling rice exports at JB Experts. No fluff. Actual numbers. Real costs. The 5-7% margin truth that nobody wants to put in their YouTube thumbnail.
1. The Non-Basmati Rice Opportunity — By the Numbers
Let me hit you with the data first. This is from the DGCIS TradeStat commodity-wise export report for FY 2024-25.
Metric | Value |
Non-Basmati Rice Export Value (2024-25) | $6.38 Billion |
Non-Basmati White Rice Growth (YoY) | +86.6% |
Non-Basmati Export Volume | 14.1 Million MT (70% of total rice) |
Total India Rice Exports | 20.2 Million MT |
Destination Countries | 172+ |
India Rice Production (2024-25) | 150 Million MT (world's #1) |
FCI Rice Stock (Nov 2025) | 33.59M MT (3x buffer norm) |
Why the sudden explosion? Three things happened:
• September 2024: Government lifted the 14-month export ban on non-basmati white rice
• October 2024: Minimum Export Price (MEP) of $490/MT was removed
• Surplus crisis: FCI was sitting on 33.59M MT of rice — 3x the buffer norm. Government had to open the floodgates.
Key Insight: India surpassed China to become the world's largest rice producer in 2024-25 with 150 million MT across 51.4 million hectares. With FCI stocks at 3x the buffer norm, the government is actively encouraging exports as a de-stocking strategy. This is the most favorable policy window for non-basmati rice exporters in years. |
2. Key Non-Basmati Rice Varieties for Export
Non-basmati isn't one product. It's a universe of varieties, each with its own buyer base, pricing, and market:
Variety | Grain Type | FOB Price (USD/MT) | Primary Markets |
IR-64 (Parboiled) | Medium Grain | $430–470 | West Africa, Middle East |
Sona Masoori | Medium Grain | $450–500 | UAE, USA, UK (diaspora) |
Swarna (MTU-7029) | Short Grain | $380–420 | Bangladesh, East Africa |
PR-11 / PR-14 | Long Grain | $420–460 | West Africa, SE Asia |
Ponni Rice | Medium Grain | $470–520 | Malaysia, Singapore |
Matta (Red Rice) | Short Grain | $550–650 | Middle East, Europe |
Broken Rice (100%) | Fragments | $290–330 | Africa, SE Asia (industrial) |
The workhorse of Indian non-basmati exports is IR-64 parboiled. If you're a rice mill or processor in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, or West Bengal — this is your entry ticket into the global market. Africa alone absorbs millions of tonnes of this variety every year.
3. HS Codes — Get This Wrong and Customs Will Reject You
Every line item in your Shipping Bill needs the correct 8-digit HS code. Get this wrong, and you'll face customs delays, duty miscalculation, and potential penalties.
HS Code | Description | 2024-25 Export Value | Growth |
1006.30.10 | Parboiled Rice (Non-Basmati) | $4,344 Million | +32.7% |
1006.30.90 | White Rice (Non-Basmati) | $1,591 Million | +86.6% |
1006.40.00 | Broken Rice | $317 Million | +63.0% |
1006.10.90 | Other Paddy / Husked Rice | $129 Million | +67.0% |
Important — September 2025 Update: DGFT Notification No. 33/2025-26 made APEDA contract registration mandatory for ALL non-basmati rice exports. Every shipment now requires prior contract registration on the APEDA portal with a nominal fee of Rs 8 per metric tonne. This mirrors the existing Basmati system. |
4. Target Markets — Where the Demand Actually Is
This is where most first-time exporters go wrong. They think rice exports = Middle East. The reality? Africa is the volume king for non-basmati.
In 2024-25, the top 5 non-basmati markets — Benin, Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, Togo, and Bangladesh — accounted for 44% of all non-basmati export volumes.
Tier 1: Primary Markets (Highest Volume)
Country | What They Buy | How They Buy |
Benin | Parboiled IR-64 (~2.5M MT) | Re-export hub for W. Africa via Cotonou port |
Côte d'Ivoire | Parboiled + White (~1.5M MT) | Direct B2B through Abidjan |
Bangladesh | White + Broken (~1.2M MT) | Land border + Chittagong port |
Saudi Arabia | Sona Masoori, White (~1.8M MT) | Distributor partnerships, diaspora demand |
UAE | Sona Masoori, Ponni (~400K MT) | Retail chains + HORECA |
Tier 2: Emerging High-Growth Markets
Senegal, Malaysia, Indonesia, Iraq, Philippines, Madagascar — these are all growing import markets. Indonesia alone has 280 million people eating rice three times a day. The Philippines regularly issues government bulk procurement tenders.
Reality Check: The mistake I see manufacturers make: they want to export to "USA and Europe." These are the hardest markets to crack for non-basmati — strict pesticide MRLs, FDA compliance, and consumers who don't know IR-64 from Swarna. Start with Africa and the Middle East. Build volume. Build cash flow. Then consider premium markets. |
5. Pricing Reality Check — The 5-7% Margin Truth
This is where I'm going to be brutally honest with you. Most content on the internet about rice export margins is completely misleading. They'll show you "25-30% profit" breakdowns that start from paddy procurement at Rs 15/kg. That math only works on a PowerPoint slide.
Here's the real cost structure for 1 container (25 MT) of IR-64 Parboiled, FOB Mundra:
Cost Component | Per MT (USD) | Per Container (25 MT) |
Milled Rice Procurement (ex-mill) | $390 | $9,750 |
Packaging (50kg PP bags) | $11 | $275 |
Inland Transport to Port | $17 | $425 |
Port Handling + CHA Charges | $12 | $300 |
Documentation + Compliance | $4 | $100 |
Quality Testing + Fumigation | $4 | $100 |
Insurance + APEDA Fee | $3 | $75 |
Overhead Allocation | $4 | $100 |
TOTAL COST | $445 | $11,125 |
FOB SELLING PRICE @ $450/MT | $450 | $11,250 |
NET PROFIT | $5/MT | Rs 50K–60K (~$600) |
Read that again. Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 per container. That's 5-7% net margin.
Now before you close this page thinking "that's not worth it," let me show you the other side of the math:
Scale | Containers/Month | Annual Revenue | Annual Net Profit |
Starter (Year 1) | 4 FCL | $540,000 | Rs 24–29 Lakhs |
Growing (Year 2) | 10 FCL | $1.35 Million | Rs 60–72 Lakhs |
Established (Year 3+) | 25 FCL | $3.38 Million | Rs 1.5–1.8 Crores |
The truth about rice export: This is a volume business, not a margin business. You don't get rich on one container. You build wealth by shipping 10, 15, 25 containers a month consistently. Rs 1.5 Crore net profit per year at 25 containers/month is a legitimate business — you just can't build it thinking each shipment will make you a lakhpati. |
6. Competitive Landscape — India vs The World
India exported 22 million metric tonnes of rice in 2024-25, making it the world's largest rice exporter by a massive margin.
Country | Volume | Avg Price/MT | India's Advantage |
India | 22.0M MT | $430–470 | — |
Thailand | 7.5M MT | $517 | India is 15–20% cheaper |
Vietnam | 7.5M MT | $534 | India is 18–25% cheaper |
Pakistan | 4.0M MT | $487 | India has more variety + scale |
Myanmar | 2.0M MT | $440 | India has better infrastructure |
India's competitive moat comes from three things: unmatched production scale (150M MT), variety diversity (parboiled, raw, broken, red, ponni), and price leadership that undercuts Thai and Vietnamese origins by 15-25%.
The one thing that can hurt us? Our own government. The 2023-24 export ban cost the industry an estimated $200 million in lost business and pushed buyers to Vietnam and Thailand. Some of those buyers haven't come back yet.
7. Compliance Checklist — Every Registration You Need
Registration | Authority | Cost | Time |
IEC (Import Export Code) | DGFT | Rs 500 | 1–2 days |
APEDA Registration (RCMC) | APEDA | Rs 5,000 | 5–7 days |
FSSAI License | FSSAI | Rs 2,000–5,000 | 7–30 days |
GST Registration | GST Dept | Free | 3–7 days |
APEDA Contract Registration | APEDA (per shipment) | Rs 8/MT | Online, instant |
Per-Shipment Documents
• Commercial Invoice (with HS code, FOB value, Incoterms)
• Packing List (bag count, weight, container details)
• Bill of Lading (B/L) from shipping line
• Phytosanitary Certificate (from Plant Quarantine / DPPQS)
• Certificate of Origin (from Chamber of Commerce / FIEO)
• Fumigation Certificate (from approved fumigators)
• Shipping Bill (filed on ICEGATE)
• APEDA Contract Registration Certificate
Destination-Specific Compliance
• EU/UK: Strictest market. Aflatoxin <4 ppb. Pesticide MRLs far stricter than Codex. Need ISO 22000/HACCP.
• USA: FDA facility registration required. Prior notice filing mandatory. USFDA + NPPO charges apply.
• GCC/Middle East: Halal certification may be requested. GSO standards. Relatively easier than EU.
• Africa (ECOWAS): Most lenient. Phytosanitary certificate usually sufficient. SGS/Bureau Veritas inspection common.
8. Government Policy Status — What's Allowed Right Now
This section is critical. Rice export policy in India changes more than the weather. Here's where things stand as of March 2026:
Policy Item | Current Status | Since When |
Non-Basmati White Rice Export | FREE (no ban, no MEP) | Oct 23, 2024 |
Parboiled Rice Export Duty | 10% duty | Sep 28, 2024 |
Broken Rice Export | BANNED | Sep 2022 onwards |
Paddy/Brown Rice Export Duty | 10% duty | Sep 28, 2024 |
APEDA Contract Registration | MANDATORY | Sep 25, 2025 |
Minimum Export Price (MEP) | REMOVED | Oct 23, 2024 |
The biggest risk in this business: Government policy. The export ban of 2023-24 came suddenly, with zero notice. Exporters with containers already at port were stuck. The only leading indicator? Watch FCI stock levels and domestic retail rice prices. When FCI stocks are 3x the buffer norm (like now), the government has every incentive to keep exports flowing. When stocks dip below 2x, get cautious. |
9. Step-by-Step Export Process — Inquiry to Payment
Here's exactly what happens from the moment a buyer shows interest to the moment money hits your bank account:
1 | Buyer Inquiry Received (Email / Trade Fair / B2B Platform) |
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2 | Product Specification Discussion + Samples Sent with Lab Report |
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3 | Price Quotation (Proforma Invoice) — FOB/CFR/CIF Terms |
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4 | Buyer Confirms Order → Sales Contract Signed |
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5 | APEDA Contract Registration + LC Opened by Buyer (or Advance TT) |
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6 | Procure Milled Rice from Audited Mill + Quality Check |
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7 | Sortex, Grading, Packaging + Pre-Shipment Lab Testing |
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8 | Fumigation + Phytosanitary Certificate from DPPQS |
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9 | Container Stuffing at Mill/CFS + Container Sealed |
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10 | CHA Files Shipping Bill on ICEGATE → Customs Clearance |
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11 | Container Loaded on Vessel → Bill of Lading Issued |
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12 | Ship Documents to Buyer's Bank (LC Negotiation) or Direct |
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13 | Vessel Transit — 5 to 25 Days Depending on Destination |
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14 | Payment Received → File RoDTEP + Duty Drawback on ICEGATE |
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15 | Receive BRC/FIRC from Bank → Transaction Closed → Repeat |
Total cycle time: 45–75 days from order confirmation to payment realization. For a first shipment, allow 90 days.
10. Risks That Can Kill Your Business
Let me be straight. Rice export is not a "passive income" business. Here's what can go wrong:
Risk | Probability | What to Do |
Govt reimplements export ban | Medium | Monitor FCI stocks, election cycles, domestic prices |
Paddy/rice prices spike | High | Forward contracts with mills. Lock procurement before signing export contracts. |
Quality rejection at destination | Medium | Pre-shipment testing at NABL-accredited lab. Audit your mill suppliers. |
Buyer doesn't pay | Medium-High | Always use Irrevocable LC at Sight. Get ECGC insurance. No open credit for new buyers. |
Container shortage / freight spike | Medium | Multi-port strategy. Book containers 2-3 weeks in advance. |
INR appreciates against USD | Medium | Forward contracts with bank. Invoice in USD. |
The single rule that will save you: Never ship rice on open credit to a buyer you haven't done 5+ successful LC-backed shipments with. The graveyard of rice exporters is filled with people who trusted a "big buyer" in West Africa who paid the first two containers on time and disappeared on the third. |
11. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the minimum investment to start non-basmati rice export?
For registrations alone (IEC, APEDA, FSSAI, GST), you need under Rs 15,000. The real investment is working capital for your first container — approximately Rs 8-9 Lakhs at current pricing for 25 MT of IR-64 parboiled. If you're a rice miller already, your infrastructure investment is zero.
Q: Is broken rice export allowed from India?
No. As of March 2026, broken rice exports remain banned since September 2022 to ensure domestic supply for poultry feed, animal feed, and ethanol production.
Q: What profit margin can I expect?
Be realistic: 5-7% net margin on FOB value. That's approximately Rs 50,000–60,000 per container (25 MT). This is a commodity business — you make money on volume, not per-unit margin. Anyone telling you 20-30% margins either doesn't know the business or is selling you a course.
Q: Which port is best for rice exports?
Mundra (Gujarat) offers the lowest handling costs for Africa and Middle East routes. JNPT (Mumbai) for container availability. Kakinada/Krishnapatnam (AP) are closest to the southern rice belt. Kolkata/Haldia for Bangladesh trade.
Q: Can I export non-basmati rice without APEDA registration?
No. Since September 2025, APEDA contract registration is mandatory for ALL non-basmati rice exports. You need APEDA RCMC first, then register each export contract on the APEDA portal before shipment.
12. Your 90-Day Plan to Ship Your First Container
Stop reading guides. Start executing.
Phase 1: Foundation (Weeks 1–4)
• Apply for IEC on the DGFT portal (takes 1-2 days)
• Register on APEDA for RCMC (5-7 days)
• Get FSSAI license if you don't have one
• Audit and shortlist 2-3 reliable rice mills as supply partners
• Get lab test reports: moisture, broken %, aflatoxin, pesticide residue
Phase 2: Market Entry (Weeks 5–8)
• Create product catalog with specs, pricing, certifications
• Start buyer outreach — target 30+ importers via LinkedIn, Alibaba, TradeIndia
• Send samples to 5-10 interested buyers (budget Rs 15-20K for courier)
• Negotiate terms — push for LC at Sight, minimum 25% advance
Phase 3: First Shipment (Weeks 9–13)
• Finalize first order — start with 1 container (25 MT)
• Register contract on APEDA portal
• Procure, process, pack, fumigate, stuff, and ship
• Complete payment realization and file RoDTEP claim
• Review what worked, what didn't — plan next 3 containers
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