The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has notified revised quality parameters for GI-tagged basmati exports, with the most significant change being a tightening of the minimum average grain-length requirement for export-grade 1121 Basmati from 8.20mm to 8.35mm.
What has changed
The new standard applies to all shipments loading on or after 1 June 2026. Grain length must be measured on whole, polished kernels using the APEDA-prescribed digital-image-analysis method and certified by an APEDA-empanelled laboratory.
Maximum chalkiness has been reduced from 4% to 3%, and broken-grain tolerance has been tightened from 2% to 1.5%. Aroma testing is now mandatory for all GI-tagged consignments and must reference the 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2AP) marker compound.
What this means for exporters
Mills will need to upgrade sorting and length-grading equipment. Buyers should expect a 6–10% price premium on certified 8.35mm+ stocks, while non-compliant material will be redirected to non-EU/non-GCC destinations. RNG Agro Exports has already transitioned its 1121 supply chain to the new specification.
- Q1 2026 basmati exports up 18% YoY at ₹6,800 crore.
- GCC + UK together = 62% of value share.
- FOB Mundra prices up $40–55/MT YoY across all grades.
- Forward-booking volumes for Q3 2026 are 35% ahead of last year.
| Grade | FOB Mundra ($/MT) | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1121 Basmati (Steam) | $1,180 | +5.2% |
| 1121 Basmati (Raw) | $1,080 | +4.8% |
| 1509 Basmati (Steam) | $960 | +3.1% |
Forward-booking volumes for Q3 2026 are running 35% ahead of last year — suggesting sustained import demand through the new-crop harvest window.
| 1121 Steam | $1,180 | up |
| 1121 Raw | $1,080 | up |
| Cumin (ASTA) | $3,200 | down |
| Yellow Maize | $248 | up |
| Apr 30 | APEDA Annual Renewal |
| May 15 | EU MRL Update — Spices & Millets |
| Jun 01 | New Crop Basmati — Pricing Season |
| Jun 10 | GCC Customs Update — Dubai Portal |
| Trade & Export | India-UAE CEPA: Agro Exporters Gain Zero-Duty Access on 97% of Tariff Lines | # |
| Market Updates | Cumin Seeds: Global Shortage Pushes FOB Prices to a 3-Year High | # |
| Regulatory | EU MRL Updates 2026: New Pesticide Residue Limits | # |