Riso Gallo has launched Italy’s first “Basmati” aromatic rice, produced in the Po Valley.
The idea was to create a new variety that can satisfy the tastes of the consumer, while at the same time meeting the exotic requirements dictated by the market.
In appearance, Riso Gallo Aroma is similar to the classic rice from East Asia, with the addition of Mediterranean flavouring.
Although it has a floral aroma reminiscent of Basmati rice varieties typical of India and Pakistan, it is produced entirely in Italy.
The rice is produced adhering to all European safety and control standards, as well as reducing its carbon footprint by not transporting large amounts of rice from countries so far away.
Riso Gallo Aroma is the result of a collaboration between Italy’s leading rice producer and institutions linked to the rice market such as SIS (Italian Seed Company) and FIR (Italian Rice Chain), together with Italian farmers’ association Coldiretti.
According to Istat data provided by Coldiretti, Italy is a European leader in rice production, with 227,329 hectares sown which account for 55% of the EU total. The value of the Italian rice consumption exceeds €1 billion.
However, last year Italian rice imports set a new record, of 219.4 million kilograms. The trend continued in the first quarter of 2016, with imports growing by 74% compared to the same period last year.
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
