Jute retail
5 kg and 10 kg sizes. +$20-$30/MT vs standard BOPP.
Processing type
1121 Steam Basmati Rice from Pakistan
Lightly steamed. Near-white color. Firmer cook than raw White.
8.3mm
Raw grain
22mm+
Cooked length
62-66%
Yield
18-20min
Cook time
15mo
Shelf life
Specification
| Variety | 1121 Basmati |
|---|---|
| Processing | Light steaming before milling. Less than full parboiling. |
| Appearance | Slightly off-white |
| Moisture | 13.5% maximum |
| Chalky kernels | 3% maximum |
| HS code | 1006.30 |
| FOB Karachi | $1,200 - $1,240/MT |
See the grain
1121 Steam on camera
Close-up footage of the lightly-steamed 1121 kernel. Off-white cast with firm elongation, distinct from both raw White and full Sella.
Video autoplays muted. Click anywhere on the video to play with sound.
Steam as the aged-White alternative
Aged 1121 White (12-18 months in climate-controlled storage) commands a $40-$80/MT premium and requires waiting through the storage cycle. 1121 Steam delivers comparable cooked-grain firmness and separation without the wait. Buyers running just-in-time inventory or unable to commit storage capacity often substitute Steam for aged White.
Top markets
Iran (chelo, polow) is the largest single Steam market. The wider GCC takes growing volumes for hospitality service. East Africa is an emerging retail market for Steam.
Comparison with the other three types
| Type | Color | Cook min | Shelf | Yield | FOB ($/MT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steam This type | Off-white | 18-20 | 15 mo | 62-66% | 1,200-1,240 |
 White | Bright white | 15-18 | 12 mo | 58-62% | 1,165-1,205 |
 Sella | Creamy golden | 20-25 | 18 mo | 68-72% | 1,095-1,135 |
 Golden Sella | Deep amber | 22-26 | 18 mo | 68-72% | 1,110-1,150 |
Cooking behavior
18-20 minutes. Rinse 2-3 times, soak 25 minutes, drain. Cook at 1:1.85 rice-to-water ratio. Firm, separated grains. Cleaner separation than raw White, softer than full Sella.
Ideal for Iranian chelo and polow, GCC hospitality biryani and mandi, and retail as the premium cooking-performance SKU. Full cooking guide →
Packaging options
Available under the IDEAL private label (including jute retail bags), in plain export-grade packaging, or under your own branding (private label minimum: 5 x 20' FCL).
25 kg distribution
Included in FOB. 1,000-1,080 bags per 20' FCL.
50 kg wholesale
Included in FOB. 500-540 bags per 20' FCL.
Full packaging specifications and container loading reference →
1121 Steam FAQs
Is 1121 Steam parboiled?
Steam is lightly steamed, not fully parboiled. The grain receives a brief steam exposure before milling, producing a near-white color with firmer cooking behavior than raw White but lighter than full Sella.
Why is Steam the most expensive 1121 type?
Concentrated demand from Iran and the GCC, combined with light-steaming process overhead and a moderate yield (62-66%), pushes Steam to $1,200-$1,240/MT. The market also pays a premium for Steam as an alternative to aged White without the 12-18 month aging wait.
Is Steam a good aged-White substitute?
Yes. Steam delivers grain firmness and separation comparable to aged White (12-18 months in storage). Buyers wanting aged-like behavior without committing to the storage cost or wait specify Steam.
Which markets buy 1121 Steam?
Iran is the largest single market (chelo, polow). The wider GCC (UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait) takes Steam alongside Sella for hospitality service. East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania) takes growing Steam volumes for retail.
How does Steam cook compared to White?
Steam cooks in 18-20 minutes (vs 15-18 for White) with firmer grains and better separation. Aroma is slightly attenuated compared to White but more pronounced than Sella.
Other 1121 processing types
1121 Basmati White
Raw milled. Bright white, pearly finish, maximum aroma.
FOB Karachi: $1,165 - $1,205/MT
View details → 1121 Sella Basmati
Parboiled. Creamy golden, firm, non-sticky. GCC favorite.
FOB Karachi: $1,095 - $1,135/MT
View details → 1121 Golden Sella Basmati
Deeper parboiling. Deep amber color, extra firm grain.
FOB Karachi: $1,110 - $1,150/MT
View details →Ready to import 1121 Steam?
FOB Karachi $1,200-$1,240/MT. Minimum 2 x 20' FCL. Iran, GCC, East Africa standard.