WHERE IS BASMATI RICE COMING FROM? A GLOBAL TRADE–RELATED OVERVIEW

Rice contributes on 20% towards human calorie intake of the world population and 30% of Asian population. Worldwide paddy rice crop was 668 million tonnes in 2008, while rice trade during the year was 30 million tonnes. Trade represents 7% of overall rice cropping. Basmati rice export counts for high value and low volume. Although Basmati crop is primarily from two countries, specific data related to Basmati export are scarce. Basmati trade constituted 8.3% of rice world trade during 2008, with a record of 2.45 million tonnes. Recent volatility of prices affects rice trade market, but less Basmati price that is still the highest on world rice market. This paper depicts the present situation of Basmati trade and its business prospects as a tradable commodity by analysing recent data. Basmati is now a trade-oriented commodity and its price premium attracts number of stakeholders, even when they are far from the original area of cropping. Hence a clarification of areas sown and seeds lines variety might enhance authenticity of Basmati and would allow to improve reliability of Basmati supply chain actors as well. This will act in favour of a more sustainable market for Basmati as a Geographical Indication.