Two countries, one variety
1121 is the same variety in both countries. The genetic line is shared. Differences come from soil, water, climate, milling practice, and trade regime. Both nations registered the variety under their respective basmati GI frameworks.
Grain specs side by side
| Specification | Pakistan 1121 | India 1121 |
|---|---|---|
| Raw grain length (avg) | 8.3mm | 8.3-8.4mm |
| Cooked grain length | 22mm+ | 22-23mm |
| Broken percentage | Nil (0-2%) | Nil (0-2%) |
| Aroma profile | Floral, nutty | Floral, nutty |
Indian 1121 averages slightly longer raw and cooked grain. Both origins meet the 8.3mm minimum the variety is benchmarked at.
Pricing
Pakistan 1121 currently runs at $1,095-$1,240/MT FOB Karachi across processing types. Indian 1121 FOB Mundra/Kandla varies by season and policy regime. Pakistan ranges update daily here.
Pesticide residue history
Pakistan-origin basmati has logged fewer RASFF instances than Indian-origin in recent years for substances such as tricyclazole and carbendazim. Pre-shipment screening by Eurofins or SGS using LC-MS/MS detection is standard for shipments to the EU and UK; EU MRL workflow is detailed here.
Export policy risk
Pakistan has not imposed a basmati export ban historically. India imposed parboiled rice export duties and minimum export prices on basmati during 2022-2024 in response to domestic price concerns; restrictions have since eased but remain a policy variable. Buyers exposed to single-origin sourcing carry policy risk asymmetrically.
Dual-sourcing strategy
Many large importers run a dual-origin program: Pakistan for the GCC and EU baseline, India for premium aged grades and South Asian retail. The two origins behave like an oligopoly; pricing and policy events are not perfectly correlated, which makes dual sourcing a real risk-management tool. Saudi, Iraq, and UAE buyers commonly run both.
For a general Pakistan rice origin overview beyond 1121, see pakistanrice.com.