From farm to fork — the story of scaling premium rice globally

The journey of turning India’s finest rice into a global brand

Sep 30, 2025

Company Overview

KRBL Limited’s journey began in 1899. What started as the world’s largest rice miller has today evolved into a modern, diversified food company, best known for India Gate—the gold standard in basmati rice. KRBL controls every step, from seeds to packaging, focusing not just on quality, but also on uplifting communities and driving meaningful social change. The mission is simple: deliver great food while making a lasting impact on the way India eats.

KRBL’s Fully Integrated Value Chain

KRBL sets the benchmark for quality and traceability in the rice industry by controlling every step from seed development to branding. Their process includes scientific seed innovation, deep engagement with farmers, rigorous procurement and grading, proper ageing, secure storage, precision milling, and premium marketing. The infographic below shows how each stage works together to deliver KRBL’s signature quality from farm to consumer.

Health and Wellness Transformation

Recognizing that modern Indians want both health and taste, KRBL entered the wellness space in FY25 with India Gate Uplife. This new platform introduced innovative, clinically-backed products like Gut Pro Oil (India’s first gut-friendly cooking oil—rice bran & soybean oil blend) and Weight Watchers Oil (blend of rice bran and sunflower oil for calorie-conscious diners), alongside biryani masalas and healthy staples.
Uplife gained immediate traction: 5% market share in modern trade in launch regions, covered 8,000+ top outlets (Delhi NCR, Mumbai, MP, Punjab), and achieved 35% repeat orders within just 45 days. Uplife is projected to reach ₹40 crore in revenue for FY26, ₹150 crore for FY27, and is targeting ₹300 crore in 3–5 years, with EBITDA break-even expected after 2.5–3 years due to high upfront spends.

Market Presence and Distribution

KRBL’s reach keeps expanding: 3.6 lakh retail outlets (up from 2.9 lakh a year ago), numeric retail distribution at 58%, weighted distribution up 360 bps. The company has deepened coverage in semi-urban and rural India, driving robust sales and maintaining a 37.9% market share in general trade. E-commerce is surging, with India Gate capturing a 44% market share and quick commerce channels growing at 70% YoY.
Branded Basmati saw 16% volume growth, branded non-Basmati 77%, and regional rice is on track for 1 lakh MT by FY28/29. Modern trade faced pressure from retailer private labels, leading to a 22% dip in packaged Basmati sales—a key risk actively monitored.

Key Basmati Rice Brands by KRBL

Global Leadership and Strategic Expansion

India is now the world’s largest rice producer (151 Mn MT); KRBL leverages robust logistics, pest-resistant seeds, and strong export relationships to deliver top-quality products globally.
Global Basmati exports hit 6 Mn MT (+16%), non-Basmati at 14 Mn MT (+27%) in FY25; first two months of FY26 saw Basmati exports up 27% YoY, non-Basmati up 20%.
Saudi Arabia subsidiary: all Indian regulatory approvals obtained, business is picking up post-Ramadan. Ghaziabad land (150 acres, valued at ₹4,000 crore) will be monetized through a township partnership. KRBL plans a new rice processing plant in Meerut within 2.5–3 years, while existing capacity (207 MT/hr) is running optimally.

Financial Outlook

The Road Ahead

KRBL’s roadmap for FY26 and beyond is ambitious yet focused:

Revenue expected to cross ₹6,000 crore.
Uplife health platform targeting ₹300 crore in the next 3–5 years and major innovation pipeline.
Ready-to-cook Biryani Masala scaling rapidly; regional rice on course for 1 lakh MT by FY28/29.
Margin expansion through premiumization, data-driven sales/marketing, and SKU optimization.
Continued commitment to brand-building, social impact, and sustainable growth.

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Disclosure

This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Readers should consult a SEBI-registered advisor before making investment decisions.

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