1121 Basmati Harvest Calendar: Punjab Crop Season
Planting May-June. Grain fill August-October. Harvest October-December. New-crop export January onward.
Single-cycle Kharif crop
Unlike some Indian basmati regions, Pakistan's 1121 runs a single Kharif (summer) cycle per year. This makes crop-year tracking straightforward and puts sharp seasonality into both supply and pricing.
Hafizabad, Gujranwala, and Sheikhupura districts produce the highest-quality export grade. Monsoon rainfall plus cool August-October nights during grain fill drive the length and aroma the variety is known for.
Month-by-month guide
| Month | Phase | Notes for buyers |
|---|---|---|
| January | New-crop export begins | First shipments of new-crop processing types (mostly Sella and Golden Sella) reach port. Aged stock still peaks in retail channels. |
| February | New-crop export peak | Full processing range available. Sharpest new-crop pricing of the year. |
| March | Pre-Ramadan demand rise | GCC buyers build inventory ahead of Ramadan. Freight rates rise modestly. Aged 1121 White tight. |
| April | Ramadan/Eid demand peak | Retail volumes peak in GCC and Southeast Asian Muslim markets. Foodservice orders soften briefly post-Ramadan. |
| May | Planting begins | Punjab paddy nurseries prepared. No direct impact on milled export for 6+ months. |
| June | Planting complete | Paddy transplanting wraps up. Grain-fill expected August-October. |
| July | Aged stock drawdown | Aged premium stock tighter. Steam often substituted for aged White. |
| August | Grain fill | Cool Punjab nights during grain fill drive length and aroma. Weather window most critical to crop quality. |
| September | Pre-harvest | Paddy approaching maturity. Trade volumes moderate; buyers watching crop reports. |
| October | Harvest begins | Early paddy harvest starts mid-October. Mills ramp parboiling lines. First new-crop milled available late October. |
| November | Harvest peak | Peak paddy procurement at rice markets. Aged stock prices firm as new-crop not yet retail-ready. |
| December | Harvest ends | Last paddy moves to mills. Drying and storage through December. Milled new-crop stocks build for January export. |
Best buying windows
- January-April: New-crop availability is widest and pricing sharpest. Plan pre-Ramadan retail programs here.
- May-July: Aged stock dominates. Good for buyers specifying aged retail grade; plan storage accordingly.
- August-October: Transitional. Aged tight, new-crop not yet available. 1121 Steam is the common aged-White substitute.
- November-December: New-crop paddy in mills but milled stock still limited. Forward contracts for January-March delivery typical.
Price seasonality
New-crop FOB prices run $40-$60/MT below aged through Q1. Pre-Ramadan demand lifts retail-grade pricing by $20-$40/MT through February-March. Post-Ramadan, prices ease back to baseline. Aged-only buyers should expect $40-$80/MT premium year-round. Premium aged (24+ months) adds another $100+/MT when available.
Harvest FAQs
When is 1121 Basmati harvested in Pakistan?
Is 1121 grown in Sindh?
When is aged 1121 available?
What are the best months to buy new crop?
Plan your 1121 purchase by the crop calendar
Forward contracts available for January-March new-crop delivery. Aged stock quoted year-round.