Black rice sells very expensive in city stores. Does the farmer get that premium and where is the demand?
3 Answers
Black rice can earn a premium over ordinary rice, but be careful, the high city shelf price is not what most farmers receive, and there is no MSP for it. The genuine premium is strongest for authentic GI chak-hao from Manipur sold to specialty, health and export buyers. Black rice grown elsewhere may still fetch above plain rice but far below the retail figure, and only if you find a niche buyer such as a health food brand, exporter or premium retailer. Yields of traditional black rice are usually lower than modern paddy, so a higher price has to make up for less grain. The market is niche, so as more growers enter, the premium can shrink. Do not switch large area on the strength of the shelf price. Secure a specialty buyer first and verify the price they actually pay.
The store price shocked me but the trader paid me a fraction of it. Premium is real but smaller than people imagine, and yield is lower than normal rice.
Without a specialty buyer the so called premium disappears and it just sells as odd coloured rice. Buyer first.