1121 Steam Basmati Rice from Pakistan
1121 Steam sits between white and sella. We expose the paddy to light steam at lower pressure and shorter duration than parboiling. This partially gelatinizes the surface starch, firming the grain enough to improve separation and reduce breakage, without the golden color shift of sella. The result is a near-white grain that cooks more consistently than raw white. Hotels, airlines, and catering operations buy steam 1121 because every plate looks the same.
1121 Steam Basmati Rice FOB Karachi: $1,200-$1,240/MT.
Lightly steamed for a firmer grain that separates consistently, while keeping a near-white color and full aroma.
8.30mm raw, 22mm+ cooked. Preferred by hotels, airlines, and food service.
Minimum order: 2 x 20' FCL (~48 MT).
Properties and Benefits
- Near-white color, not golden like sella
- Firmer than raw white, less breakage during cooking
- Consistent grain separation, every plate looks identical
- Full natural basmati aroma preserved
- 8.30mm raw, 22mm+ cooked, same length as white
How Steam is Produced
We expose raw paddy to controlled steam at lower pressure and shorter duration than the sella process. This partially gelatinizes the surface starch, creating a firmer grain structure without deep color change. After steaming, we dry and mill the paddy normally. The grain comes out off-white to light cream with improved cooking consistency.
1121 Steam Basmati Rice Photos
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Packaging Options
Custom packaging and private labeling available. View private-label options.
Top Export Markets
Hotels, airlines, and catering companies are the primary buyers. They need consistent cooking results across thousands of servings. UAE is the largest steam market. Production volumes are lower than white or sella, which is why steam commands the highest price of any 1121 form.
| Grain Length (Raw) | 8.30mm avg |
| Grain Length (Cooked) | 22mm+ |
| Broken % | Nil (max 2%) |
| Color | Off-white to light cream |
| Moisture | 13.0% max |
| Damaged/Shriveled | 1.5% max |
| Chalky Kernels | 3.0% max |
| Foreign Matter | 0.1% max |
| Contrasting Varieties | 7.0% max |
| HS Code | 1006.30 |
| Crop Year | 2025/26 |
| Min. Order | 2 x 20' FCL (~48 MT) |
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1121 Steam Basmati Rice: Common Questions
Steam 1121 is lightly steamed before milling, not fully parboiled like sella. The grain comes out near-white with a firmer texture. It separates more consistently than raw white rice, which is why hotels and airlines prefer it. Same 8.30mm raw grain, same 22mm+ cooked length.
Steam 1121 at $1,200-$1,240/MT costs more than white ($1,165-$1,205) and sella ($1,095-$1,135). The steam process requires precise temperature and timing control. Production volumes are lower because the primary market is food service, not commodity trade. Fewer mills run steam lines.
Hotels, airlines, cruise lines, and large catering operations. They need every plate of rice to look and taste the same. Steam gives them that consistency. UAE is the largest market for steam 1121. Saudi Arabia and the UK also import it for premium food service.
Steam uses lower heat for a shorter time. The grain stays near-white instead of turning golden. It's firmer than raw white but less hard than sella. Sella has better nutrient retention and longer shelf life. Steam preserves more of the natural aroma. The choice depends on whether your market needs white color (steam) or golden color (sella).
Ready to Import 1121 Steam Basmati Rice?
Get a confirmed FOB or CNF price within 24 business hours. Minimum order: 2 x 20' FCL (~48 MT).