Droughts may bring basmati price rises

Restaurateurs can expect the cost of supplies of basmati rice to rise after droughts in north-west India and Pakistan ravaged this year's crop. With the harvest down by 25% against last year, a spokesman for Tilda, one of the biggest suppliers, estimated that prices would rise by about 10%.

Price hikes may force chefs to trade down to lesser-quality grades, where there is a higher risk of breakage in the grain, and even to blends with more crossbreed hybrids. Price hikes may also be passed on to the customer.

The UK is the largest importer of basmati rice in the EU, with the total market currently worth £46m, and growing at 14% in volume year-on-year. The rice is popular for its aromatic flavour and plate coverage, due to the elongation that takes place in the grain during cooking.

Last week the Food Standards Agency issued a statement warning against the false labelling of basmati. It did, however, following guidance from the Indian and Pakistani authorities, state that non-traditional hybrid varieties with at least one true-line basmati parent could also be grouped under the umbrella term "basmati".