IR64 Rice in Bulk: Prices, Grades and Who Buys It
IR64 rice wholesale price by city in ₹/kg, parboiled vs raw, 5% and 25% broken grades, Kakinada loading and how monthly contracts work.
By PingB2B·Updated 6 October 2026
Short answer
IR64 is a long-grain non-basmati rice and India's main volume grade. Most trade is parboiled, graded at 5% or 25% broken. Canteens, caterers and price-led wholesalers buy it for the lowest cost per plate, and importers buy it by the container. Order by form, broken percentage, crop year and bag size.
1. Wholesale price by city
Rupees per kg, excluding GST, loose or in 25 kg bags. Rates as of 4 September 2026.
| Market | IR64 parboiled (₹/kg) | Swarna parboiled (₹/kg) |
|---|---|---|
| All-India | ₹38 | – |
| Bangalore | ₹39 | – |
| Chennai | ₹38 | – |
| Delhi | ₹40 | – |
| Hyderabad | ₹37 | – |
| Jaipur | ₹42 | – |
| Kolkata | ₹33 | ₹38 |
| Pune | ₹41 | – |
| Surat | ₹41 | – |
2. Who buys it and what they order
| Buyer | What they order | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Canteens, hostels and industrial kitchens | Parboiled, 5% broken, 25 or 50 kg bags | Lowest cost per plate; the grain stays firm |
| Caterers and dhabas | Parboiled, 5% broken | Holds in bulk cooking without going sticky |
| Wholesalers in east and south India | Parboiled or raw, 25 kg bags | Everyday rice for price-led households |
| Importers and tenders | Parboiled, 5% or 25% broken, 50 kg bags | The volume grade, priced on broken percentage |
3. The grades
| Grade | What it is |
|---|---|
| IR64 5% broken | Standard milled long grain, mostly whole |
| IR64 25% broken | Up to a quarter broken grains, priced below 5% |
| IR64 100% broken | Fragments only, for feed, distilleries and flour |
| Swarna | A similar long grain and the usual substitute when IR64 is short |
4. Raw or parboiled
- Parboiled IR64 is soaked, steamed and dried before milling. It is harder, yellowish, breaks less and trades in larger volume.
- Parboiling colour runs from light cream to golden. Agree a sealed reference sample, because colour is a common dispute.
- Raw IR64 is white and softer when cooked. It sells mainly in domestic trade and to markets that eat white rice.
5. What to put on the order
- Form, and for parboiled, the colour against a reference sample.
- Maximum broken percentage, plus limits for chalky, damaged and discoloured grains.
- Moisture: maximum 14%.
- Crop year. This year's and last year's crop are different lots at different prices.
- Packing: 25 or 50 kg PP bags, with marking agreed before milling.
- For export, container or break bulk, and the destination port.
6. Where it is milled and loaded
| Region | Ports |
|---|---|
| Godavari and Krishna delta, Andhra Pradesh | Kakinada, the main IR64 loading port |
| Telangana and Chhattisgarh | Kakinada and Visakhapatnam |
| Odisha and West Bengal | Paradip, Haldia and Kolkata |
7. Monthly contracts
- Fix the specification, packing and reference sample once, in writing.
- Agree how the price moves: fixed for a period, or reset each month against an agreed reference.
- Agree a deduction for moisture and broken grains outside the specification, so a dispute is a calculation.
- Inspect the first two or three loads closely. Most problems show up early.
Request quotes
Grade, quantity and delivery point.
Official checks and useful references
APEDA — Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority ↗
Registers Indian cereal exporters and publishes non-basmati export data.
DGFT — Directorate General of Foreign Trade ↗
Publishes India's rice export policy, including any duties or conditions on non-basmati rice.
Directorate of Marketing and Inspection (AGMARK) ↗
Publishes the AGMARK grade standards for rice used in quality specifications.
Related buyer guides
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between IR64 5% and 25% broken?
Both are the same variety. 5% broken is mostly whole grain and is the standard grade for importers and wholesalers. 25% broken carries up to a quarter broken grains, costs less, and goes to price-led markets and tenders. Two IR64 quotes are only comparable if they state the broken percentage.
Why is parboiled IR64 more common than raw?
Parboiling hardens the grain, so it breaks less in milling and holds up in long storage and sea transit. Many importing markets, particularly in West Africa, prefer the firmer cooked texture. Raw IR64 still sells, mainly in domestic trade and in markets that eat white rice, but parboiled carries the larger volume.
Why do IR64 buyers ask for Kakinada?
Kakinada sits next to the Godavari delta mills that produce most of India's export IR64, so inland freight is short. It handles both containers and bagged rice loaded into bulk vessels, which suits large tenders. Other east-coast ports work too, but Kakinada is where much of the trade is priced.
Can I buy IR64 on a monthly contract?
Yes. Fix the specification, packing and reference sample once, then agree how the price is set each month and what deduction applies when a lot arrives outside the specification. A clear deduction clause for moisture and broken percentage settles most disputes on a regular supply before they start.
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