Where to Import Bulk Rice: Best Sources and Buyer’s Guide

Many countries rely on imported rice to meet domestic consumption needs. As a result, the topic of how to import bulk rice has gained great attention among importers worldwide. Businesses often seek answers about the price, suppliers, and quality of bulk rice before making purchasing decisions.

An overview of rice in bulk

More than half of the world’s population depends on rice as a staple food, with over 3.5 billion people obtaining more than 20% of their daily calories from it. Asia alone consumes about 90% of the world’s rice, and the demand keeps increasing every year. Beyond Asia, per capita rice consumption is also on the rise — particularly in Africa and Latin America, where rice has become one of the fastest-growing food staples.

Due to this global rise in consumption, many countries have turned to import bulk rice to secure stable supply sources. Population growth and expanding economies in Asia and Africa continue to drive this strong demand, making bulk rice import a crucial part of global food trade.

• The top five producers of rice in bulk are China, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and Vietnam.
• The top five exporters of rice in bulk are Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, US and India.
• The top five importers of rice in bulk are the Philippines, Iran, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
• Some 120,000 varieties of rice exist today.

Leading products of rice in bulk

There are many varieties of rice available on the global market today. Among them, basmati rice, jasmine rice, and sticky rice stand out as the most popular choices for importers due to their distinctive aroma, texture, and easy digestion. These rice types are widely preferred by consumers and are often selected by businesses that import bulk rice to meet market demand.

In addition to their appealing flavor, these varieties offer high nutritional value and come at competitive prices, making them ideal options for both retail and wholesale distribution.

Basmati rice

This is an Indian rice variety with long grains. Basmati rice is nutty and fragrant, and it is often compared to Jasmine rice. Basmati rice is exclusively exported in bulk by Pakistan and Indian rice suppliers. In 2019, India accounted for 85% of basmati exports or 7.2 million tonnes. In bulk, Pakistan exported around 2.7 million tonnes of basmati rice. Furthermore, Pakistan’s export prices of basmati rice in bulk are lower than India’s, at 970 USD/MT and 1104 USD/MT, respectively.

Jasmine rice

Jasmine rice is a fragrant rice variety that is mostly grown in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. In recent years, the volume of jasmine rice shipped in bulk accounted for around 43 percent to 46 percent of Vietnam’s overall export volume. When cooked, it has a scent similar to that of pandan leaves. White jasmine rice in bulk is less expensive (650 USD/ton) than brown jasmine rice (900 USD/ton).

Glutinous rice

Glutinous rice is a kind of Asian rice that when cooked becomes exceedingly sticky. Glutinous rice is widely grown in Asian countries; Laos, for example, is a glutinous rice producer, with glutinous rice accounting for more than 85% of the country’s total rice output. The average price of glutinous rice in bulk is 480-490 USD/ton.

Factors Affecting the Price to Import Bulk Rice

During the period of currency depreciation, exporters have to adjust rice prices continuously. Besides, the price of rice fluctuates up and down due to changes in supply and production of farmers and people’s demand.

The production of rice in bulk

When supply surpasses demand, the overall price to import bulk rice can decline sharply in the global market. For instance, in South Korea, the government had to purchase nearly 200,000 tons of domestically produced rice to stabilize prices. This action followed a record production year in 2021, when output reached 3.88 million tons — about 10.7% higher than in 2020. The production volume exceeded demand by roughly 270,000 tons, causing a market surplus that led to lower rice prices.

The demand for rice in bulk

When global demand rises, the price to import bulk rice also increases, allowing suppliers and exporters to gain higher profits. For instance, after a period of supply disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, many international markets recovered with strong year-end demand. As a result, bulk rice import prices climbed significantly — in European countries, the rice price reached around 750 USD per ton, up approximately 50 USD per ton compared to the previous period.

Exchange rate

Exchange rate fluctuations have a direct impact on the price to import bulk rice and the competitiveness of exporters in the global market. For example, the appreciation of the Thai baht in early and mid-2021 caused the export price of bulk rice to rise, making Thai rice less competitive internationally. Conversely, when the baht depreciated by about 13% against the USD, the price of rice fell, creating more favorable conditions for trade. At that time, the price of 5% broken white rice was traded at around 400 USD per ton, compared with 520 USD per ton at the beginning of 2021.

Ways to find suppliers of rice in bulk

When rice becomes of the utmost importance, customers find it easy to buy rice in bulk. However, scammers appear and sell shoddy products, customers should be sensible to choose reputable suppliers.

Buy Rice online sources

In today’s digital era, many suppliers aiming to import bulk rice or trade it globally have established a strong presence on online platforms. Customers can easily find bulk rice exporters and importers through major social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

Additionally, international e-commerce platforms like Tridge, EC21, and Alibaba have become popular marketplaces where buyers can connect with verified suppliers and explore a wide variety of rice products. However, businesses should remain cautious — online trading also carries potential risks, including fake suppliers or scams. Conducting background checks and verifying business licenses is essential before making large transactions.

Offline sources

Offline sources remain a traditional yet effective way to find trustworthy partners and import bulk rice. One of the most common approaches is meeting suppliers directly at their offices or production facilities. Face-to-face meetings allow buyers to assess product quality, negotiate better deals, and build stronger business relationships.

Another valuable method is attending international trade fairs and exhibitions, where importers can connect with multiple bulk rice suppliers in one place and even visit their factory booths. However, during the Covid-19 pandemic, such offline connections became limited, highlighting the importance of combining both online and offline sourcing strategies.

Top 5 Bulk Rice Suppliers in the Global Market

In the rice in bulk trade, finding a trustworthy supplier is critical. The top 5 rice suppliers in the world are shown below.

K-Agriculture Factory – Trusted Vietnamese Source to Import Bulk Rice

For businesses looking to import bulk rice from Vietnam, K-Agriculture Factory is one of the most reliable and pioneering exporters in the country. The company supplies a wide selection of rice varieties — including Jasmine rice, ST rice, long-grain rice, and Japonica rice — to more than 80 nations worldwide.

With a milling capacity of 2,500 tons per day and a storage capacity of 400,000 tons, K-Agriculture Factory guarantees consistent supply for large-scale international orders. Moreover, its HACCP and ISO certifications demonstrate strict adherence to global food safety and quality standards, making it an ideal choice for those planning to import bulk rice from a trusted Vietnamese source.

For free consultation and special discount, contact us via

• Email: info@k-agriculture. com
• WhatsApp: +84855555837 (Ms. Kris)
• Website: k-agriculture.com

Muskan Overseas

Muskan Overseas is a miller and exporter of Basmati rice with over four decades of expertise. The company is recognized for manufacturing, processing, distributing, and exporting a varied range of rice all over the world, with an emphasis on premium grade rice and competence in exports. The company began operations in 1972 and has since grown to become India’s biggest rice exporter. Its mission is to get the greatest raw materials and transform them into the best products for our consumers. Basmati and non-basmati rice in bulk are their major products.

Its core offerings include both Basmati and non-Basmati rice, making Muskan Overseas a preferred partner for businesses planning to import bulk rice at premium standards and competitive prices.

Bhagwati Lacto Vegetarian Exports

Bhagwati Lacto Vegetarian Exports is a well-known major exporter of Basmati rice. They are known for manufacturing quality Basmati rice types such as Traditional Aromatic Basmati Rice, 1121 Basmati Rice, and others. With a grinding capacity of 45 tons per hour, BLV has one of Punjab’s largest parboiled stainless steel Sella factories. BLV has been selling rice in bulk to over 62 nations throughout the world, including the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, and many more.

Its commitment to quality production and reliable logistics makes BLV a trusted partner for businesses planning to import bulk rice at international standards.

GIA International Corporation

Gia International Corporation was founded in 2008 and has grown to become one of the top companies in rice production and export after more than 10 years of development. The estimated annual export volume is about 300.000 tons. Long grain rice and fragrant rice are among the products exported and consumed in more than 30 countries. The rice in bulk processing factory is now ISO 22000-2005 and HACCP accredited for food safety management.

Siam Grains Co., Ltd.

Siam Grains Co., Ltd. was founded in 1982 with the goal of exporting high-quality glutinous rice to global markets. Siam Grains then added Jasmine Fragrant Rice, Thai Hom Mali Rice, and more types to its core product range. To guarantee that output stays up with demand, Siam Grains now owns two mills and three warehousing facilities.

Nowadays, importers have the tendency of buying rice in bulk, so that the price will be more reasonable and the rice in bulk must meet strict standards.

FAQs

How long does the rice import process typically take?

The import timeline varies based on documentation accuracy and customs procedures. Generally:

• License processing: 3 working days for complete applications
• Overall import process: Several weeks to several months depending on origin, destination, and complexity
• Phytosanitary certificate validity: Must not exceed 14 days from issuance to shipment arrival

What quality standards must imported rice meet?

International quality standards for rice include:

• Moisture content: Maximum 15% for white rice
• Impurities: No more than 0.5% organic impurities and 0.1% inorganic impurities
• Physical requirements: Must be free from off-odors, strange tastes, and live insects
• Food safety: Compliance with pesticide residue limits, heavy metal restrictions, and microbiological safety standards
• Certifications: ISO, HACCP, and GMP certifications are commonly required for premium markets

How do trade agreements affect rice imports?

Trade agreements significantly impact rice imports:

• EVFTA (EU-Vietnam): Provides 80,000 tons/year tariff quota for Vietnamese rice to EU
• USMCA: Exempts Mexico and Canada from US rice tariffs
• Preferential tariffs: Many countries offer 0% rates under bilateral trade agreements
• WTO compliance: Import licensing must follow World Trade Organization rules

In conclusion, this article provides you with the information you need to know about rice in bulk. Hope you find this article useful. Please leave a comment for further explanation from experts from K-agriculture which is one of the biggest factories in agriculture in Vietnam!