The entry of the State Trading Corporation (STC) in the basmati rice market in the 1980’s allowed Mauritians of different income groups to discover the taste of authentic basmati rice and since then ‘STC’ basmati is recognized as a household brand.
The local basmati market, with free entry and exit, is driven by multiple traders and brands. A persistent price increase in basmati rice in 2013 raised great concern about high price of branded basmati and adulteration in the rice. As such, STC imported two special grades of ‘STC’ basmati rice, namely pusa and 1121 extra-long carefully developed to the taste of Mauritians for supply to the local market. This initiative thereby contributed to the prevention of unnecessary price fluctuations on the local market, enabling consumers to reduce their expenditure on this item. All basmati rice imported by STC is consistent in quality and in conformity with the Mauritian Basmati standard MS177:2011. Appropriate tests are carried out by accredited agencies in exporting country and locally by the Mauritius Standard Bureau. Recently, STC has imposed new requirements on quality of basmati rice in terms of compliance to applicable EU regulations with regard to level of aflatoxin and maximum pesticide residue level. Since 2014, STC has been importing more than 4,000 Metric Tons of basmati rice which are sold in supermarkets, hypermarkets and other points of sale across the island.