India: Non-basmati rice vessel line-up exceeds 1 mnt; Benin leads among destinations

• Kandla, Kakinada remain key loading ports
• Bagged, 5% parboiled rice dominate line-up

India’s non-basmati rice vessel lineup for key export destinations stood at 1.28 million tonnes (mnt) as of 21 August, according to BigMint data. The line-up was concentrated across African and Middle Eastern markets, with Benin accounting for the largest share at 398,000 MT, followed by Mozambique at 114,092 MT. Bagged rice, 5% parboiled rice, and 100% white rice were the major grades in the current pipeline.

Benin leads export line-up

Benin emerged as the largest destination, with 398,000 MT of rice lined up from Kakinada. The cargo mainly comprised 5% PB rice, with a broad group of exporters including Balaji Rice, Bebo Int’l, LDC, Olam Agri. others. Mozambique followed with 114,092 MT, all lined up from Kandla, comprising mainly bagged rice. Major exporters included HRMM Agro, Crown Trading, ABGT Rice, and Balaji Rice.

African, Middle Eastern markets remain active

The vessel line-up remained diversified across African and Middle Eastern destinations. Senegal had 37,400 MT lined up from Kakinada, mainly 5% PB rice, while UAE accounted for 38,000 MT of bagged rice from Kandla. Somalia and Yemen had 28,250 MT and 24,000 MT, respectively, with both markets primarily taking bagged rice. Other notable destinations included Saudi Arabia at 9,340 MT, Ivory Coast at 20,000 MT, and Sierra Leone at 12,000 MT. The cargo to Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone mainly comprised 100% white rice.

Kandla, Kakinada remain key loading hubs

The line-up highlights the continued importance of Kandla and Kakinada in India’s non-basmati rice export trade. Kandla was primarily serving Middle Eastern and African destinations with bagged rice, while Kakinada handled significant volumes of 5% PB and 100% white rice shipments to West African markets.

Vessel status

The overall vessel pipeline stood at 1.28 mnt, comprising 270,342 MT shipped, 9,340 MT at berth, 769,751 MT at anchorage, and 230,725 MT expected. The sizeable volume at anchorage indicates a strong near-term export pipeline, with a substantial volume of cargo awaiting loading and execution.

Outlook

The 1.28 mnt vessel pipeline indicates a sizeable volume of non-basmati rice positioned for export across African and Middle Eastern markets. The mix of 5% PB, bagged, and 100% white rice suggests continued demand across multiple destination markets, while shipment execution from Kandla and Kakinada will remain important for the pace of exports.