Key facts
- 1 production cluster mapped, in Andhra Pradesh; Telangana; Karnataka; MP.
- Market guides for 9 countries, each with destination requirements and transit times.
- Certifications available from the supply base: FSSAI licence, APEDA RCMC, HACCP, ISO 22000, Halal certificate and more.
- Typical minimum order: Mixed container or LCL from about 1-3 MT (typical).
Product overview
Poha is parboiled or soaked rice that is roasted and flattened between rollers into flakes. It is a staple breakfast food in western and central India and a key ingredient in chivda (namkeen) snacks. Production clusters are in Madhya Pradesh (Indore, Ujjain), Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, close to non-basmati rice mills.
Export demand comes mainly from South Asian diaspora grocery in the GCC, UK, USA, Canada and Australia, and from snack manufacturers. Grades are defined by flake thickness (thin, medium, thick, extra thick) and by the rice used (white or red/brown rice poha).
Poha is light and bulky, so it is usually shipped in retail or 20-30 kg bags as part of mixed ethnic-grocery containers rather than full loads.
HS note: Poha is commonly shipped under 1104 19 (flaked cereal grains); some exporters use 1904 (prepared cereal products) for roasted or ready-to-cook variants. Rice-product export policy may follow the underlying rice policy - confirm the line with your broker.
Specifications
| Moisture | ≤ 12-13% (typical) |
|---|---|
| Thickness | Thin about 0.3-0.5 mm; thick about 0.8-1.2 mm (typical) |
| Broken / powder | ≤ 2-5% (typical) |
| Foreign matter | Nil visible; ≤ 0.1% (typical) |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
Thin (patla) poha
For chivda and quick-soak snacks.
Medium poha
General breakfast use.
Thick / extra-thick poha
Kanda-poha style breakfast; holds shape when cooked.
Red / brown rice poha
Health-food positioning.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Retail | 500 g, 1 kg, 2 kg pouches | Usually part of mixed grocery containers |
| Bulk | 20-30 kg PP/laminated bags | For snack manufacturers |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP about 9-12 MT (volume-limited) · 40' HC about 18-22 MT (volume-limited). Low bulk density flakes; varies with thickness
Customisation: Retail packs under buyer brand, thickness grades, red-rice poha
Where we source in India
Producing regions and manufacturing clusters our supplier network draws from.
Madhya Pradesh
Indore, Ujjain, Balaghat
Indore-Ujjain poha mills
Chhattisgarh
Raipur, Durg
Rice belt with poha mills
Maharashtra
Gondia, Nagpur
Gondia rice and poha cluster
Market requirements by region
United States & Canada
USA: the packing facility needs FDA Food Facility Registration, every shipment needs FDA Prior Notice, and the US importer must run FSVP supplier verification. US tariff treatment of Indian goods changed several times in 2025-26 (reciprocal tariffs, product exemptions, a Feb-2026 India-US framework and later court rulings) - verify the current duty for the HTS line before quoting landed cost. Sold through South Asian grocery chains; Canadian importers need an SFC licence.
United Kingdom
UK: the India-UK CETA entered into force on 15 July 2026 (reported) - claim preference with proof of origin; higher-risk food needs IPAFFS pre-notification. Diaspora grocery demand; retail labels must carry a UK importer address.
Gulf (GCC)
UAE: Dubai Municipality FIRS requires the importer to register the company and each food item (label assessment) before arrival; Arabic/English labelling per GSO 9; India-UAE CEPA preference with a CEPA certificate of origin. Diaspora retail demand in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman.
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Trade policy note
Rice-derived products have at times been caught by rice export curbs; as of 2026-11 no poha-specific restriction was found - verify current DGFT policy before quoting.
Quality control
- • Pre-shipment inspection by SGS / Bureau Veritas / Intertek on request
- • Accredited (NABL) lab report for moisture, aflatoxin, pesticide residues and microbials
- • Pre-shipment and loading photographs, container seal record
Certifications available
- • FSSAI licence
- • APEDA RCMC
- • HACCP
- • ISO 22000
- • Halal certificate
- • India Organic (NPOP)
Held by the producing supplier for the specific lot; copies shared with the quote.
Shipping documents
- • Commercial invoice
- • Packing list
- • Bill of lading
- • Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies)
- • Phytosanitary certificate (if required by destination)
- • Certificate of analysis
- • FSSAI licence copy
Export markets
Frequently asked questions
What is poha made from?
Poha is rice that is soaked or parboiled, roasted and flattened into flakes between rollers.
Which poha thickness should I buy?
Thin poha suits chivda snacks; medium and thick poha are used for breakfast dishes because they hold shape after rinsing.
Can poha be shipped in a mixed container?
Yes - poha is light and usually shipped alongside other grocery items in mixed containers.
What is the shelf life?
Typically 6-12 months in sealed packaging stored away from humidity.
Request a quote for Poha (Flattened Rice / Rice Flakes)
Tell us grade, quantity and destination. We reply with options, packaging and pricing on your Incoterm.
