PK-386 Rice

6.8–7.2 mm Pakistani long grain, light aroma

PK-386 occupies the gap between the commodity long grains and basmati, and that position is its whole commercial case. Average milled length runs 6.8–7.2 mm — clearly longer than IR64 and IRRI-6 at 6.2–6.6 mm, and clearly shorter than 1509 basmati at 7.60–7.90 mm — with a light aroma that the true non-aromatics do not have. It ships as raw white, steam and Golden or White Sella at 2% and 5% broken, moisture ≤ 14%, chalky grains ≤ 5%, damaged and discoloured ≤ 2% and purity ≥ 95%. For a retail pack in a price-sensitive market it looks and smells closer to premium rice than its cost base suggests, which is exactly why it has built share in Gulf and African retail over the last decade.

That same quality creates the one thing worth being blunt about: PK-386 is not basmati, it is not entitled to be labelled or sold as basmati, and doing so is a labelling offence in the EU and UK where basmati is a protected designation with an approved variety list. It gets mis-sold precisely because the aroma and length invite it. Bought honestly it is a strong product — mid-tier retail packing, Gulf and African supermarket private label, food-service wanting a longer grain than IR64 without basmati pricing, and biryani programmes at a cost point basmati cannot reach. Buy IRRI-6 or IR64 instead when price per tonne is the only criterion and length is not being paid for; move up to 1509 when the customer genuinely expects basmati. Supply is arranged in 25 kg and 50 kg PP bags, container-load, with SGS grading, fumigation and phytosanitary certification, on FOB Karachi and Port Qasim, CFR and CIF terms.