Direct answer
Thai parboiled rice 100% is the top parboiled grade, with a typical specification of no more than 4% broken kernels. "Sortexed" means the rice has also been cleaned by optical colour sorters, which remove most black, yellow and discoloured kernels. Parboiled 5% allows up to 5% broken kernels at a lower price per metric ton while keeping the firm, golden, nutrient-rich grain of parboiled rice, which makes it the standard grade for large-scale wholesale distribution.
Key takeaways
- Parboiling (soaking, steaming and drying in the husk) hardens the grain, so it breaks less and cooks firm and separate.
- "100%" and "5%" describe the broken content; "sortexed" describes optical colour sorting. They are separate choices.
- Colour sorting minimises discoloured kernels; exact limits are set by grade and contract.
- Parboiled 5% sortexed is the most traded grade for West Africa and the Middle East.
- Thai parboiled rice exports grew by almost 19% in 2025.
How parboiling changes the rice
Parboiled rice is paddy that has been soaked, steamed and dried before milling. The steam gelatinises the starch inside the grain, which drives nutrients from the bran into the kernel, hardens it so fewer grains break during milling, and gives the rice its golden colour. Cooked parboiled rice stays firm and separate, even in long-cooked dishes such as jollof rice or kabsa, which is why it dominates demand in West Africa and much of the Middle East. Thailand exported about 1.5 million tonnes of parboiled rice in 2025, up almost 19% on the year before.
Reading a parboiled grade: broken content
The percentage in a parboiled grade describes the broken kernels. Parboiled 100% is the top grade: a typical export specification allows no more than about 4% broken kernels, with around 80% or more whole kernels. Parboiled 5% allows up to 5% broken kernels, and 10%, 15% and 25% grades step down in price for more price-sensitive markets.
Reading a parboiled grade: sortexed
"Sortexed" (STX) means the rice has passed through optical colour sorters that detect and remove black, yellow, discoloured and damaged kernels, as well as foreign matter. Sorting does not change the broken percentage; it improves the uniform golden appearance that retail customers look for. A double sortexed lot has passed through the sorters twice. No sorting process is perfect, so the remaining limits for discoloured and damaged kernels are set by grade and written into the contract.
Parboiled grade comparison
| Parameter | Parboiled 100% sortexed | Parboiled 5% sortexed | Parboiled 5% (not sortexed) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broken kernels | About 4% maximum | 5% maximum | 5% maximum |
| Colour sorting | Yes | Yes | No |
| Moisture | 14% maximum | 14% maximum | 14% maximum |
| Appearance | Most uniform golden grain | Uniform golden grain | Some discoloured kernels within grade limits |
| Shelf life | Long for milled rice kept cool and dry | Same | Same |
| Packaging options | 5, 25, 50 kg PP bags, private label | 25 and 50 kg PP bags | 25 and 50 kg PP bags |
| Typical market | Premium retail | Wholesale, West Africa, Gulf | Price-sensitive wholesale |
| Minimum order quantity | Agreed per order; a 20ft full container holds about 25 MT | Agreed per order; a 20ft full container holds about 25 MT | Agreed per order; a 20ft full container holds about 25 MT |
Typical values; the exact grade limits are confirmed in each quotation and by pre-shipment inspection.
Which grade for which market?
- Parboiled 100% sortexed: premium supermarket and branded retail packs where appearance is critical.
- Parboiled 5% sortexed: the most traded grade for importers and wholesalers in Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
- Parboiled 10% to 25%: price-sensitive wholesale and institutional supply.
See our parboiled long grain rice page for typical specifications and packing.
Storage and shipping for large volumes
Parboiled rice is milled rice, and properly stored milled rice keeps for a very long time. The main risks are moisture and pests, so specify 14% moisture maximum, fumigation before shipment and dry, well-ventilated storage at destination. For volumes of 1,000 MT and above, most buyers use supply contracts with scheduled shipments so each loading meets the same specification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between parboiled 100% and 5%?
The percentage refers to broken kernels. Parboiled 100% is the top grade, typically with no more than about 4% broken kernels. Parboiled 5% allows up to 5% broken kernels and costs less.
What does sortexed mean on a rice offer?
Sortexed means the rice has been cleaned by optical colour sorting machines, which remove most black, yellow and discoloured kernels and foreign matter, giving a more uniform appearance.
Which parboiled rice grade is most popular in West Africa?
Parboiled 5% sortexed is the most widely traded grade for importers and wholesalers in West Africa and the Middle East.
Sources and further reading
- Thai rice export standards and trade specifications for parboiled rice
- Department of Foreign Trade, Thailand: 2025 rice export statistics
- USA Rice: rice storage guidance
This guide is for general information. Regulations and market conditions change, so confirm current requirements with the relevant authorities and your advisers.
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