Non-basmati rice is the unsung hero of India’s agricultural exports, powering the daily meals of millions across Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Unlike its aromatic cousin basmati, which commands premium prices for its fragrance and length, non-basmati rice is the reliable staple — affordable, versatile, and essential. In 2025, India dominates this segment, exporting an estimated 17.6 million metric tons valued at $10.2 billion, representing 78% of total rice shipments and a 37% surge from 12.9 million tons in 2023-24. This growth, fueled by policy shifts like the September 2024 lift on white rice bans and the October removal of the $490/mt minimum export price, has made Indian non-basmati rice a go-to for price-sensitive markets.
At Sadbhaav Spices, under Sadbhaav Global Impex LLP, we’ve been key players in this trade since 2012. Sourcing IR-64, Sona Masoori, and Ponni varieties from the fertile Indo-Gangetic plains of Punjab and Haryana, we process and ship 5,000+ tons annually to 50+ countries. With APEDA, FSSAI, and ISO 22000 certifications, our parboiled IR-64 arrives with 99.9% purity and less than 14% moisture, meeting the strict standards of buyers from Benin to Indonesia. Our journey involves everything from farmer contracts to reefer containers, and we’ve learned that success in non-basmati rice export isn’t just about volume — it’s about consistency, compliance, and understanding the global hunger for this everyday grain.
This comprehensive 2025 guide walks traders through the entire non-basmati rice export process, from registration to delivery. We’ll cover the legal foundations, sourcing strategies, processing techniques, documentation hurdles, logistics realities, and market insights. Whether you’re a startup trader in Punjab eyeing your first container to the UAE or a seasoned exporter scaling to West Africa, this step-by-step roadmap will equip you to navigate the $10.2 billion opportunity with confidence. Let’s start at the beginning, where the rice is still swaying in the fields.
Understanding Non-Basmati Rice: The Staple Powerhouse of India’s Exports
Before diving into the process, it’s worth appreciating what makes non-basmati rice such a export juggernaut. Non-basmati encompasses a broad family of short, medium, and long-grain varieties like IR-64 (high-yielding, medium-grain ideal for everyday cooking), Sona Masoori (fragrant, popular in South Indian dishes), Ponni (soft-textured for idlis and dosas), and PR-106 (parboiled for longer shelf life). Unlike basmati’s elongated grains and nutty aroma, non-basmati focuses on functionality — it’s the rice that feeds families, fills plates, and forms the base for instant noodles, biryanis, and jollof rice.
India’s production of non-basmati rice hovers around 110 million metric tons annually, with Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh contributing 70% of the supply. The parboiled segment leads exports at 9 million tons, valued at $4–5 billion, thanks to its nutrient retention (up to 20% more vitamins than white rice) and resistance to weevils during long voyages. In 2025, the market’s 12% year-on-year growth is propelled by eased policies — the July 2023 white rice ban lifted in September 2024, and the October MEP removal — allowing traders to compete aggressively against Thailand and Vietnam.
For traders, the appeal is clear: Margins range from 4–5% on bulk IR-64 to 10% on value-added parboiled, with a 20-ton container netting $6,000–8,000 profit after costs. But the process demands precision — from paddy procurement to port clearance. At Sadbhaav, we start with contracts guaranteeing 99% purity at the farm gate, ensuring our Sona Masoori arrives in Malaysian markets with the same fluffiness as fresh-cooked idlis. This guide will unpack each phase, drawing from our experience to help you avoid the pitfalls that sink 20% of first-time shipments.
Step 1: Registering as a Non-Basmati Rice Exporter — Building Your Legal Foundation
The journey begins with paperwork, but in India’s export ecosystem, it’s the key that unlocks everything from incentives to port access. For non-basmati rice, registration is straightforward but mandatory under the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023.
Start with the Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). This is your basic exporter ID — free, online, and issued in 1–2 days if linked to your PAN and Aadhaar. Without an IEC, you can’t file a single shipping bill.
Next comes APEDA registration, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, which oversees all agri-exports including rice. Head to apeda.gov.in, upload your IEC, GST certificate, PAN, and bank details, and pay ₹5,000 ($60). Approval takes 3–5 days, granting access to RODTEP benefits (0.5–4% of FOB value) and 50% subsidies on testing. For rice specifically, the Rice Exporters Association of India (REA) or All India Rice Exporters Association (AIREA) membership is recommended — ₹10,000–20,000 annually — for networking and policy updates.
Don’t forget the FSSAI license ($90/year) for food safety and GlobalGAP ($500–1,000) for farm practices, as Dubai and EU buyers demand it. Total setup cost: $200–400, 1–2 weeks. At Sadbhaav, we renew our APEDA RCMC (Registration-cum-Membership Certificate) by March 31 each year to avoid late fees. Pro tip: Use the e-RCMC portal for digital submission — it integrates with ICEGATE for seamless customs filing. With foundations laid, you’re ready to source the grain that feeds the world.
Step 2: Sourcing and Procurement — Finding the Right Paddy
Sourcing is where quality is born. Non-basmati rice starts as paddy — the husked grain — procured from Punjab (40% supply), Haryana (25%), and Uttar Pradesh (20%). Aim for high-yielding hybrids like IR-64 (medium-grain, disease-resistant) or Sona Masoori (fragrant, consumer favorite). Contract with cooperatives or direct farmers for 99% purity at farm-gate prices of $0.15–0.20/kg.
Harvest in October–November (Kharif season) when moisture drops to 20%. Use combine harvesters for efficiency, but hand-sort to remove weeds and broken grains. Dry paddy to 14% moisture in solar dryers (3–5 days) to prevent mold. Transport in ventilated trucks within 48 hours to mills — we use GPS-tracked fleets to avoid delays.
Quality checks: Test for broken (<2%), foreign matter (<1%), and moisture. At Sadbhaav, we reject 5% lots pre-milling. Cost: $0.05–0.10/kg. Diversify sources — Punjab for volume, Andhra for Sona Masoori — to buffer monsoons. This phase sets your margin; poor sourcing leads to 10% rejections at port.
Step 3: Milling and Processing — Turning Paddy into Export-Ready Rice
Milling transforms paddy into polished, export-grade rice. Use modern semi-automatic mills with rubber rollers to remove husks without breaking grains (broken <2%). Parboiling — soaking, steaming, and drying — boosts nutrition for West African markets, retaining 20% more vitamins.
Cleaning follows: Aspiration removes dust, magnetic separators pull metals, and color sorters (Buhler) eliminate discolorations for 99.9% purity. Polish to desired sheen — steam for parboiled, dry for white. Pack in 50kg PP bags with liners for moisture control.
Quality labs test for aflatoxin (<4 ppb), pesticides (<0.01 mg/kg), and moisture (<14%). At Sadbhaav, our NABL-accredited facility runs 100+ parameters, ensuring FSSAI and HACCP compliance. Cost: $0.10–0.15/kg. Innovation like cryogenic polishing preserves aroma, adding 5% value. This step is non-negotiable — 30% of rejections stem from poor milling.
Step 4: Documentation and Licensing — The Paper Trail to Success
Documentation is the exporter’s shield. Start with Commercial Invoice (FOB value, HS code 1006.30 for semi-milled), Packing List (bag counts, weights), and Bill of Lading from the carrier.
Phytosanitary Certificate from PPQS ($10–20) proves pest-free. FSSAI Health Certificate ($50) confirms safety. Certificate of Origin from chambers enables duty-free under CEPA. For rice, APEDA’s Rice Export License (if quotas apply) and Spices Board NOC for blended items.
Use ICEGATE for e-filing — digital RCMC integrates seamlessly. Cost: $100–200/shipment. At Sadbhaav, we prepare in 24 hours, avoiding 48-hour port holds.
Step 5: Packaging, Labeling, and Quality Assurance — Protecting Your Cargo
Packaging safeguards against Dubai’s heat. Use 50kg PP bags with PE liners for moisture <14%. Label with HS code, net weight, origin, and nutritional info (English/Arabic for UAE). Palletize on ISPM-15 wood (1 ton/pallet), stretch-wrapped.
Quality assurance: Fumigate with phosphine (2 tablets/ton, 48 hours) for pests. Test for fumigants (<0.01 ppm). At Sadbhaav, we add silica gel sachets, extending shelf life 20%. Cost: $0.05/kg. Proper prep means 95% on-time delivery.
Step 6: Shipping and Logistics — From Mill to Market
Choose Mundra or Chennai ports — Mundra’s closer to Punjab mills. Opt for 20ft containers ($1,200–1,500 sea freight to Dubai). Load at 15–18°C with ventilation 30 CBM/hour. Monitor with GPS loggers for temperature drifts.
Transit: 7–10 days to Jebel Ali. Insure 110% value. At Sadbhaav, Maersk partnerships ensure 97% on-time.
Step 7: Customs Clearance and Delivery — Closing the Loop
Dubai clearance: ESMA inspection (<24 hours with pre-filed docs). Duties: 0% under CEPA. Inland: $0.05/kg to Deira markets. At Sadbhaav, digital COAs speed release.
Pricing and Profitability: Making the Numbers Work
Farm-gate: $0.15/kg IR-64. Milling: $0.10/kg. Logistics: $0.15/kg. FOB: $0.35–0.45/kg. CIF Dubai: $0.45–0.55/kg. Profit: 20–30% on 20-ton container ($6,000–8,000).
Overcoming Challenges: Tips from the Field
Bans: Diversify. Quality: Labs. Logistics: Reefers.
Conclusion: Your Path to Non-Basmati Rice Export Success
Non-basmati rice export from India is a $10.2 billion opportunity in 2025. Follow this process, and you’ll thrive.
At Sadbhaav Spices, we make it simple — from mill to market.
Start your non-basmati rice export journey today.
📧 info@sadbhaavspices.com | 📞 +91 7397993793 | www.sadbhaavspices.com