In order to provide an insight into the incredible effort that goes behind the scenes in producing the world’s finest basmati rice, the brand India Gate organized a press trip spanning over 4 days in June 2022. India Gate Basmati Rice is part of the KRBL family, a 133-year-old brand and the largest global exporter of rice in the world. Food Business Gulf & ME Managing Editor M. Matt was invited to be part of the exclusive experience and got an opportunity to visit the brands facilities, farms & factories located in various cities within India. “The four-day trip provided us an opportunity to interact with the real heroes of the agriculture world, stroll mills and facilities, meet the KRBL family to learn and unearth a wealth of knowledge on traditional and modern-day agriculture processes.” wrote M. Matt.
KRBL Limited is a legacy in the industry of agricultural goods, particularly in the market for basmati rice. With over 130 years of business experience under their belt, the brand has established itself as a market leader, being the world’s largest producer and exporter of basmati rice. Despite their emergence in Asian markets, KRBL Limited’s reach has since expanded to a global scale, expanding to regions such as Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, and maintaining significant presence in all these areas. Over the years, the pursuit of business expansion led to several business ventures and the development of sub-brands, including their flagship brand – India Gate.
India Gate is a pioneer in the market for basmati rice, revered for its taste, texture and commitment to quality. The brand saw significant success quickly spreading its wings in MENA region and expanding into the Asian and North American market. Fast forward to today, India Gate celebrates 30 years in the Middle Eastern market and its presence is felt far beyond just the Asian regions with notable inclusions being the European and Western countries such as Canada and USA, and Oceanic countries such as Australia and New Zealand.
In value terms specially, India Gate Basmati Rice is the only dominant premium segment brand in Qatar’s Basmati Rice market with 82% market share and 86% market share in the Kuwait market.
In UAE, India Gate Basmati Rice is the leader in basmati segment as per AC Nielson and in Saudi Arabia KRBL Limited Brands Bab Al Hind and India Gate fetches the highest premium. Company has recently rolled out Nurjahan variant in Saudi to cater to mid and value segement of the market.
Owing to continuous expansion and industrial development, India Gate’s business model and product offering has evolved in line with the industry standard to provide customers with the best possible product. Due to this reason, the brand has introduced numerous product lines and variations to appeal to ever-changing consumer tastes and preferences.
Currently, India Gate Basmati Rice’s collaboration with the Middle East region is in its third wave of growth– this sees the Basmati brand making a gradual shift to the health food range, which took off with the launch of wholesome grain India Gate quinoa in 2017. The subsequent pre-pandemic years also saw the launch of the superfoods like chia seed and flax seed that could be added to any meal. In 2020, following a growing awareness of immunity-boosting health products accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the company’s health product portfolio only grew. KRBL catered to their customer base by introducing products such as India Gate Basmati Brown Rice, and India Gate Sprouted Brown Rice.
The expansive health portfolio comprises of the below products.
India Gate Amaranth:
Retrieved from the Amaranth plant, this grain is like quinoa in terms of size and texture.
It is incredibly nutrient-dense, containing ingredients such as Zinc and Calcium that builds immunity, and Phosphorous which improves overall bone strength.
India Gate Flaxseed:
While it is traditionally used to produce oil for cooking and treatment purposes, flaxseed is also considered to be a superfood alternative to traditional rice.
India Gate’s Flaxseed is rich in several key ingredients required to lead a healthy lifestyle. Ingredients such as Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Vitamin B6 promote healthy energy production and improves metabolism, whereas ingredients such as Magnesium aid in improving tissue formation.
India Gate Quinoa:
Considered by many to be the ultimate superfood, Quinoa boasts numerous health benefits and is an essential element to a well-balanced idealistic diet. Its low calorie and carbohydrate content makes it an ideal replacement for rice in one’s diet, and its abundance of Vitamins, minerals and antioxidants boost immunity, contribute to muscle growth, and improves metabolism.
India Gate Chia Seeds:
While small in size, Chia seeds are packed to the brim with nutrients which boosts immunity and improves overall quality of life. They are also ideal for those that struggle with diabetes, as studies indicate that they can help regulate blood sugar levels.
Chia seeds can be consumed in numerous forms and techniques, as they are an incredibly versatile superfood that go well with most food combinations. Regardless of how they are consumed, the seeds also contain carbohydrates and proteins that help you feel full for a longer period, making them ideal for those trying to maintain a healthy diet.
India Gate Sprouted Brown Basmati Rice:
India Gate’s brown basmati rice contains a lot more of antioxidants and healthy fats in comparison to traditional rice, while still retaining the taste and texture of its white rice counterpart. In addition to these nutrients, sprouted brown rice also contain several vitamins and minerals such as Magnesium, Iron, and Zinc, which contributes to healthier blood and bone development.
All India Gate products are accessible & readily available at leading hypermarkets & supermarkets across the GCC region via KRBL’s exceptional network of distributors.
For more information, visit www.krblrice.com
