How Pakistan Rice Is Graded
Rice grading in Pakistan follows international standards aligned with Codex Alimentarius and buyer-market requirements. Every export shipment is graded on five physical parameters: broken percentage, milling degree, moisture content, chalky kernel percentage, and foreign matter content. Regulated markets (EU, UK, GCC, North America) also require a sixth parameter: chemical compliance through pesticide residue and contaminant screening. Physical parameters are verified by independent inspectors (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek) before loading.
Grading applies to both basmati and non-basmati varieties. However, premium basmati (1121, Super Kernel) is held to tighter specifications than bulk non-basmati (IRRI-6). Understanding these grades is essential for writing accurate purchase contracts and avoiding disputes at destination.
Broken Percentage: The Primary Grade Indicator
Broken percentage is the single most important grading factor. It directly determines price. A "broken" kernel is any grain that measures less than 75% of the average whole kernel length. Pakistan rice is exported in the following standard broken grades:
| Grade | Broken % | Typical Variety | FOB Price Range (USD/MT) | Primary Markets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premium (Nil broken) | 0-1% | 1121 Basmati, Super Kernel | $850-$1,020 | GCC, EU, USA, UK |
| 5% Broken | Up to 5% | IRRI-6, IRRI-9, PK386 | $430-$560 | GCC, East Africa, China |
| 15% Broken | Up to 15% | IRRI-6 | $410-$440 | East Africa, South Asia |
| 25% Broken | Up to 25% | IRRI-6 | $390-$420 | West Africa, East Africa |
| 100% Broken | 100% | IRRI-6 Broken | $350-$380 | West Africa, China |
Each step down in broken percentage reduces the FOB price by roughly $20-$40/MT. For non-basmati bulk orders, specifying the right broken percentage is critical. A buyer ordering "5% broken" who receives "15% broken" has grounds for a claim.
100% broken rice is not a defective product. It is a staple food across West Africa and a key ingredient in rice flour, snack manufacturing, and brewing. Countries including Mauritania, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Senegal, and Guinea-Bissau are major importers of 100% broken rice.
Milling Degree and Polish
Milling degree refers to how much bran has been removed from the rice kernel. Pakistan exports rice in four milling grades:
| Milling Grade | Description | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Brown Rice | Paddy husk removed, bran layer intact. Goes through color sorting and cleaning to remove discolored and broken grains. | EU rice mills (lower import tariff). Usually large quantities of basmati, smaller quantities of long grain. |
| Reasonably Well Milled | Bran removed but grains retain a natural finished look, not pearly white. | Bulk export, food processing |
| Extra Well Milled | Thorough bran removal, clean white appearance. | Retail packaging, GCC market |
| Silky Polished | Polished using a water polisher for a pearly, silky finish. Rice also goes through color sorting where yellow, discolored, defected, or light speck grains are removed for a uniform look. | Premium retail, EU/UK/USA |
Silky polish adds approximately $5-$10/MT to the processing cost. It is standard for 1121 Basmati and Super Kernel destined for GCC and European retail markets. Non-basmati rice is also silky polished on rare occasions, but is usually imported as well-milled or extra well-milled cargo.
Over-milling reduces grain weight and increases the broken percentage. A skilled miller balances bran removal with grain integrity. HAS Rice operates Buhler and Satake sorting and milling equipment to maintain consistent milling quality across batches.
Moisture Content Standards
Moisture content is measured as a percentage of grain weight. Pakistan's export standard is 14% maximum. Most buyers specify 14% or lower. Here is why moisture matters:
- Too high (above 14%): Risk of mold, fungal growth, and caking during transit. Containers spend 4-30 days at sea in varying temperatures. High-moisture rice can develop musty odors and visible mold, especially on long voyages to West Africa or the Americas.
- Too low (below 11%): Grains become brittle and break during handling, increasing the broken percentage at destination. This can trigger quality claims.
The ideal range is 12.5-14%. For basmati, 12-13.5%. For non-basmati, 13-14%. Modern mills use moisture meters at multiple stages (intake, after drying, after milling, before packing) to maintain this range. Pre-shipment inspectors verify moisture with calibrated meters during inspection.
Chalky Kernels and Foreign Matter
Chalky kernels are grains with an opaque white area caused by immature starch granules. They cook softer than translucent kernels and reduce the visual appeal of the cooked rice. Export standards allow a maximum of 3-5% chalky kernels for premium grades and up to 8% for standard grades.
Foreign matter includes anything that is not rice: husk fragments, stones, weed seeds, straw, metal particles, and other grains. Export-grade rice must contain less than 0.1% foreign matter. Color sorters (optical sorting machines) remove discolored grains and foreign particles at speeds of 5-10 MT per hour.
Damaged kernels (yellow, heat-damaged, pest-damaged) are also tracked separately. Premium basmati allows no more than 1% damaged kernels. Non-basmati grades allow up to 3%.
Chemical Compliance: Pesticide Residue and MRL Screening
The five parameters above cover physical grain quality. For regulated markets, a sixth parameter applies: chemical compliance. This means the rice must screen within Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for pesticides, mycotoxins, and heavy metals before it can legally enter the destination country.
Samples are drawn by approved inspection agencies from the finished lot at origin and sent to the Eurofins laboratory for pesticide residue analysis under Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. Results are returned within 5-7 working days. The shipment only proceeds if all results are within the destination market's MRL limits. This is a hard gate: rice that fails does not ship.
Key substances screened include tricyclazole, carbendazim, and hexaconazole (pesticide residues), aflatoxins B1 and total (mycotoxins), and heavy metals (lead, cadmium, inorganic arsenic). The full panel covers 300+ compounds. The EU sets the strictest MRLs globally. Tricyclazole, a common rice fungicide, is effectively banned in the EU (MRL set at the detection limit).
Pakistan basmati has a strong compliance track record, with fewer instances of RASFF (EU food safety alert) notifications compared to India. For a detailed breakdown of EU MRL screening, key substances, the Eurofins process, and a step-by-step compliance checklist, see EU compliant Pakistan basmati rice. For how lab screening fits into the broader pre-shipment inspection process, see our inspection guide.
Putting It All Together: A Typical Contract Specification
When placing an order for IRRI-6 White Rice 5% Broken, your contract specification should read:
- Broken percentage: 5% maximum
- Moisture: 14% maximum
- Chalky kernels: 5% maximum
- Foreign matter: 0.1% maximum
- Damaged kernels: 2% maximum
- Milling: Extra well milled
- Average grain length: 6.0mm minimum
These specifications are verified by pre-shipment inspection, and the inspection certificate accompanies the shipping documents.
For EU and UK-bound shipments, add one critical line to the contract: "Pesticide residue and contaminant screening within EU MRL limits, certified by Eurofins or equivalent accredited laboratory." The lab certificate is included in the shipping documents alongside the physical inspection certificate.
View current FOB Karachi prices for all grades, or request a quote with your exact grade specification.