Direct Answer: Yes, demand for non-basmati rice in the Middle East is steadily increasing, driven by a growing expatriate population, rising food costs, and increased preference for affordable everyday rice varieties.
Key demand drivers in the Middle East:
- Large South Asian & African diaspora in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar prefer non-basmati rice for daily meals
- Price sensitivity — Non-basmati is significantly more affordable than Basmati for large families
- Food service sector growth — Restaurants, labor camps, and catering businesses prefer bulk non-basmati rice
- Government food security programs — Several Gulf nations stockpile non-basmati rice as a strategic food reserve
- IR64 parboiled rice is increasingly preferred for its nutritional value and cooking ease
Amoli International actively supplies premium non-basmati rice to Middle Eastern buyers with Halal-certified, export-ready consignments.