Rice Import Guide: Basmati, Jasmine & Long Grain

France AJ Group breaks down the key differences between Basmati, Jasmine, and long grain white rice, and how B2B buyers in Africa and the Middle East can source premium grades with certified quality and reliable logistics.

Rice is the most consumed staple food on earth, with over 520 million tonnes consumed annually across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. For importers, wholesalers, and food distributors operating in these regions, selecting the right rice variety, grade, and origin is a critical procurement decision that directly impacts product quality, consumer acceptance, and profitability.

Through its UK trading company France AJ Group Ltd, France AJ Group supplies premium rice varieties to B2B buyers across multiple continents. This guide covers the three most traded rice categories in international commerce and what buyers need to know for 2026.

Basmati Rice: The Premium Aromatic Standard

Basmati rice is a long-grain aromatic variety cultivated primarily in the Indo-Gangetic plains of India and Pakistan. It is distinguished by its unique fragrance, slender grain shape, and exceptional elongation during cooking, with grains expanding to 2–3 times their dry length without breaking.

Key Specifications

The specifications below reflect France AJ Group Ltd's flagship 1121 White Sella (Creamy Sella) Basmati Rice, origin India.

Parameter	Premium Grade
Type	White Sella
Moisture	≤ 14.0%
Broken	≤ 5.0%
Immature	≤ 1.0%
Damaged / Discoloured	≤ 3.0%
Foreign Matter	≤ 0.5%
Origin	India

Fit for human consumption. Minimum order 12,500 MT, with full quality documentation provided on every shipment.

Best for: Premium retail brands, hospitality and catering, Middle Eastern and South Asian cuisine markets, high-end food service operators.

Top origins: India (1121 Sella, Pusa Basmati, Traditional Basmati) and Pakistan (Super Kernel, PK-385).

Jasmine Rice: The Southeast Asian Favourite

Jasmine rice (Hom Mali) is a long-grain aromatic variety originating from Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. It has a soft, slightly sticky texture when cooked and a distinctive floral aroma that makes it the preferred table rice across Southeast Asia, Africa, and increasingly in the Middle East.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Premium Grade
Grain Length (raw)	≥ 6.6mm
Broken Percentage	≤ 5% (Grade A)
Moisture	≤ 14%
Whiteness	≥ 38 (Kett whiteness meter)

Best for: West African consumer markets (Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria), Southeast Asian restaurants and catering, retail and foodservice in the Gulf.

Top origins: Thailand (Thai Hom Mali, Pathum Thani), Vietnam (ST25, DT8), Cambodia (Phka Rumduol).

Long Grain White Rice: The Volume Workhorse

Non-aromatic long grain white rice is the most traded rice category by volume globally. It is produced across multiple origins, including India, Vietnam, Myanmar, Pakistan, Uruguay, and the United States, offering buyers the widest range of price points and quality tiers.

Key Specifications

Parameter	Standard Grade
Grain Length (raw)	≥ 6.0mm
Broken Percentage	5%, 10%, 15%, 25%, or 100% broken
Moisture	≤ 14%
Milling Degree	Well-milled or double polished

Best for: Mass-market retail distribution, institutional feeding programs, food manufacturing (rice flour, pre-cooked rice), price-sensitive markets requiring large volumes.

Pricing Dynamics in 2026

Rice prices in 2026 remain influenced by India's export policy decisions, Thai and Vietnamese harvest conditions, and currency fluctuations. Key trends include:

India's export restrictions on non-Basmati white rice continue to create supply pressure and redirect buyer demand to Vietnam, Myanmar, and Pakistan.
Pakistan Basmati competitiveness strengthens in 2026 as favourable exchange rates and strong 1121 Sella yields position Pakistani origins as a value alternative for Middle Eastern and African buyers.
Vietnamese rice exports continue to grow in competitiveness, with improved milling quality and aggressive CIF pricing to African ports.

"Rice is a commodity where origin, grade, and broken percentage directly determine end-consumer satisfaction and buyer profitability. France AJ Group Ltd sources from the most competitive origins and provides full quality documentation with every shipment."
France AJ Group Representative

About France AJ Group Ltd

France AJ Group is an international B2B trading conglomerate with operations spanning food commodities, electric vehicles, lubricants, building materials, cosmetics, and luxury goods. France AJ Group Ltd, the Group's UK-registered food trading company, specializes in the import and export of agricultural commodities including rice, edible oils, sugar, grains, frozen meats, and condiments, serving B2B buyers, wholesalers, and distributors across multiple continents.