Rice is central to the life of billions of people worldwide and is the oldest domesticated grain. Saif International Limited is one of the leading players in the global rice trade, involved in multiple origins across the entire spectrum in the value chain process. Manufacturing, processing and trading close to one million metric tons annually, we are involved in sourcing, shipping and exclusive marketing and distribution of quality premium rice under our signature brand in the Middle East.
With its starchy and creamy texture, medium-grain rice has a characteristic of being high in amylopectin, a substance that gives it a unique texture and flavor. Medium grain is recognized mainly for its japonica variety, where the grain becomes softer, moister, and stickier, absorbing flavor well.
As Saif, we have invested via our sister companies in modern rice mills equipped with the finest machinery for rice processing. Our trained and tested quality inspectors ensure that the finest paddy is originated from the Egyptian Delta to ensure excellence at every stage of the production and packing in manufacturing facilities.
As Saif, we also have exclusive agreements with Californian mills and exporters Huba Gida Sanayi Ticaret and as a result, our promise to the Californian farmer to continue to market and sell medium grain rice to the Middle East and Iraqi markets and its consumers to whom this grain is part of their staple diet.
Though not recognized as the outstanding rice producers of the world, Uruguay is a small, temperate country on the east coast of South America's "southern cone" and is firmly on the rice radar. With little fame as a rice nation, Uruguay farmers cultivate some 180,000 hectares of irrigated rice and has the third highest rice productivity in the world, with an average of 8 metric tons per hectare of dry rice in the last 5 years. Today Uruguay exports 95% of its rice output internationally.
As Saif, we have a toll milling and exclusive agency agreement for Iraq with one of the oldest and most important rice companies in Uruguay. By tying up with only the best, our principals (SAMAN) offer support to its farmers at field level to ensure that only premium paddy rice is milled and packed in highly industrialized facilities, incorporating the best of technology to pack only high quality standardized rice. Our partner ranks for 50 percent of the Uruguayan rice production and ranks first amongst exporters in the region.
Argentina, located in the southern part of South America has subtropical and temperate climates favorable for rice production. In Argentina, rice production is on a large scale and highly modern and mechanized, yielding in large-thin long grain indica variety rice. Even though rice is not the main commodities of Argentina, its production, harvested areas, and yield have increased markedly to over a million metric tons over 215,000 hectares with an average of 6 metric tons per hectares.
Like Uruguay, rice is not the main staple food of the country, making it a relevant supplier in the international market. Almost 60% of the rice is exported, allowing a surplus of 350,000 to 450,000 metric tons available making it among the top rice exporting countries internationally.
As Saif, we have toll milling agreements and exclusive agency agreements in Argentina with Molinos Libres S.A. where we aggregate, sort and pack more than 250,000 metric tons per annum for many of the Middle Eastern markets, enabling us to market our branded rice efficiently to our customers across our multiple geographies.
Premium rice is rice with special cooking and aromatic characteristics, which are marketed to niche and exclusive markets. Several of the rice varieties are available in the Middle Eastern and Asian regions, which are valued for their unique characteristics.
The most popular premium rice is perhaps Basmati Rice, notable for its fragrance and nuanced flavors. Basmati derives from the Sanskrit word "vasmati" meaning "fragrant." Basmati rice is one of the most treasured grains, and is grown only once a year in the Indo-Gangetic plains beneath the Himalayan subranges. It is a remarkably long variety of rice and has a distinct aroma and discrete nutty taste. When cooked, the Basmati is longer, lighter and fluffier than standard white rice and does not stick together.
As Saif, we have years of experience in the subcontinent market and have partnered up with a 120 year old heritage company who is India's first integrated rice company. With exclusive agency rights for K.R.B.L, India for the Egypt, Iraq and Libyan markets, our partners have spent three generations and multiple hours with Basmati farmers in developing and perfecting the Basmati grain. With over five facilities, our partners and we have the capacity to handle 35% of the Basmati production in India and are equally committed in enhancing our capacities and introducing the latest milling technologies in the basmati industry to ensure premium and consistent rice is always supplied.