Origin: From IRRI Los Banos to Sindh
IRRI-6 traces back to the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Banos, Philippines, founded in 1960. The IR series of cultivars was developed to lift Asian rice yields after the famines of the early 1960s. IRRI-6 entered Pakistan through Sindh's seed multiplication program in the 1970s and proved well suited to the warm, saline soils of the lower Indus delta.
IRRI-6 traces to the same IRRI breeding program that produced IR64 in 1985. Both varieties share the high-yielding, photoperiod-insensitive genetics that made the Green Revolution possible. India scaled IR64 in Punjab and Andhra Pradesh, while Pakistan scaled IRRI-6 in Sindh.
Where IRRI-6 is Grown
IRRI-6 grows almost exclusively in Sindh, Pakistan. The core districts are Badin, Thatta, Sujawal, and Tando Muhammad Khan in lower Sindh. Punjab grows basmati varieties; Sindh grows non-basmati. Sindh's Kharif season runs nursery in May-June, transplant in July-August, harvest in October-November. Sindh harvests two to three weeks earlier than Punjab due to warmer temperatures and shorter day length.
Grain Specifications
IRRI-6 is a medium-long grain with a uniform translucent appearance. Standard mill specifications are tightly controlled because export buyers in Africa, China, and the Middle East demand consistent grain dimensions and moisture content.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Grain length, raw | 6.00 mm |
| Grain length, cooked | 14 mm minimum |
| Elongation ratio | 2.3x minimum |
| Moisture, max | 13.5% |
| Chalky kernels, max | 5% |
| Aroma | Mild, non-aromatic |
| HS code, milled | 1006.30 |
| HS code, 100% broken | 1006.40 |
Why IRRI-6 Dominates Pakistan's Non-Basmati Exports
IRRI-6 represents about 70-80% of Pakistan's non-basmati rice export volume. Three factors explain this dominance. First, Sindh's climate suits IRRI-6 yields of roughly 3,500-4,500 kg per hectare. Second, the variety mills cleanly across multiple broken grades, letting exporters serve premium African retail with IRRI-6 5% broken and West African staple food markets with 100% broken rice from the same paddy stream. Third, IRRI-6's neutral aroma matches the cooking traditions of its main destinations.
Available Grades and Processing Types
Mills produce nine commercial IRRI-6 product variants. Broken percentage is the defining product attribute. Lower broken means higher price because color sorting removes more rejects per ton of clean output.
- IRRI-6 5% broken: premium retail, $360-$380/MT FOB
- IRRI-6 10% broken: mid-range commodity, $356-$376/MT
- IRRI-6 15% broken: standard commodity, $352-$372/MT
- IRRI-6 25% broken: commodity staple, $335-$355/MT
- 100% broken rice: West African staple food, $315-$335/MT
- IRRI-6 parboiled: $360-$380/MT, dominant across West African retail
- IRRI-6 brown rice: husk removed bran intact, $350-$370/MT
Top Export Destinations
IRRI-6 ships to 13 destination clusters. Each market gravitates to a specific grade. Kenya and Tanzania take 5% and 25% white. China takes 5%, 25%, and 100% broken. Mozambique takes 15% and 25%. Ghana and Ivory Coast blend parboiled rice with 25% white. Mauritania, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Senegal, and Guinea take 100% broken as a staple grain. CIS and Eastern Europe take 5% and 100% broken in mixed containers via Constanta and Rijeka.
Pricing and Order Minimums
IRRI-6 minimum order quantity is 5 x 20' FCL, roughly 135 metric tons. Mixed-grade containers are common: a buyer can split a five-FCL booking across 5%, 25%, and 100% broken in any ratio. Private label brands require 10 x 20' FCL minimum. Check the current FOB Karachi price sheet for live grade-by-grade pricing updated every six hours.
Buying IRRI-6: Next Steps
Buyers comparing Pakistani IRRI-6 against Indian alternatives can review the IR64 vs IRRI-6 comparison. For broker-grade detail on Pakistan's full rice variety lineup, see the Pakistan rice export portal IRRI-6 page. To request live pricing for your spec, submit an RFQ for IRRI-6 rice.