🌿 Now exporting premium makhana worldwide — Contact: +91 6207998034 | Get Quote
Floating Makhana
Floating Makhana
Floating Makhana
Floating Makhana
Floating Makhana
PLS Foods

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about our premium Makhana, ordering process, and shipping.

Categories

Guides & Resources

Katihar is part of the core Mithila region, contributing significantly to India's 90% share of global production. The unique wetland ecosystem here produces "Phool Makhana" that is naturally whiter and larger (often 5-6 Suta+). Sourcing directly from Katihar via PLS Agro Foods ensures farm-to-port freshness and lower moisture content, which is critical for international shelf life.
Read specific page
"Suta" is the traditional grading system in Bihar (1 Suta ≈ 3.17 mm).

3-4 Suta: Ideal for namkeen factories and ground powder.

5 Suta: Premium retail grade.

6 Suta+: Export quality, preferred by luxury snack brands in the USA, UK, and UAE for its superior crunch and appearance.
Read specific page
Yes. We specialize in authentic Mithila Makhana which holds the Geographical Indication (GI) tag. This certification ensures the product is grown using traditional methods in the Bihar region, guaranteeing its unique nutritional profile and premium quality for global importers.
Read specific page
We follow strict export protocols, including:

Moisture Control: Keeping levels below 12% to prevent spoilage.

Hygienic Processing: Using mechanized roasting to meet FSSAI and international food safety standards.

Lab Testing: Providing reports for pesticide residues and heavy metals upon request.
Read specific page
To prevent the fragile kernels from crushing, we use Nitrogen-flushed vacuum-sealed bags or multi-layer HDPE bags inside strong corrugated cartons. This ensures the Makhana remains crispy and fresh during long sea or air freight journeys.
Read specific page
Yes, for those looking for low-fat and high-volume snacking. While almonds are healthy, they are high in fats and calories. Makhana contains only 0.1g of fat per 100g and offers more "crunch per calorie." Compared to popcorn, Makhana is significantly higher in magnesium and potassium, making it a more nutrient-dense choice for heart health and muscle recovery.
Read specific page
Makhana has a low Glycemic Index (GI) of approximately 22–35. This means it releases glucose slowly into the bloodstream, preventing the sharp insulin spikes caused by high-carb snacks. The high fiber content also slows down carbohydrate digestion, making it a "safe snack" for diabetic-friendly diets.
Read specific page
While it shouldn't be the only source, it is an excellent plant-based protein booster. A 100g serving of Makhana provides about 9.7g of protein. It contains essential amino acids like glutamine and arginine, which are vital for muscle repair and immune function in vegan and vegetarian diets.
Read specific page
Makhana is rich in kaempferol, a natural flavonoid found in premium superfoods. Kaempferol has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help fight oxidative stress, protect cells from damage, and improve skin suppleness, naturally slowing down the signs of aging.
Read specific page
Absolutely. A daily serving of 30–50 grams (about two handfuls) is ideal. Its high satiety index—thanks to the fiber and protein—keeps you feeling full for longer, which reduces mindless snacking. For the best weight loss results, we recommend dry-roasting them with a pinch of turmeric instead of frying them in oil.
Read specific page
It acts as a third-party quality seal, guaranteeing that the product is authentic and possesses the unique characteristics specific to Bihar’s geography.
Read specific page
Look for the official GI logo on the packaging and ensure your exporter is a registered user of the Mithila Makhana GI.
Read specific page
It commands a premium because it represents the top 10% of the harvest in terms of size, color, and nutritional density.
Read specific page
No. Only Makhana grown and processed within the designated Mithila region (including Katihar) according to strict traditional standards can carry the tag.
Read specific page
Indirectly, yes. The standards required for GI certification often mandate better drying and processing, which leads to a more stable product.
Read specific page
Most exporters prefer at least a 20ft container, but for premium grades, LCL (Less than Container Load) shipments starting at 1,000kg are possible.
Read specific page
We use vacuum-sealed, nitrogen-flushed bags and high-strength corrugated boxes to prevent crushing and moisture absorption.
Read specific page
Common terms include 30% advance and 70% against the Bill of Lading (BL), or an Irrevocable Letter of Credit (LC).
Read specific page
Yes, we can process and pack Makhana under your brand name, ready for your local retail shelves.
Read specific page
From Katihar, it typically takes 7-10 days for processing and 25-40 days for sea transit, depending on the destination port.
Read specific page
No, the taste remains the same, but the consistency improves. Every kernel has the same crunch and texture.
Read specific page
It is much more hygienic and allows us to meet strict FDA and EU food safety standards that manual processing often cannot.
Read specific page
Not necessarily. While the machinery is an investment, the increased yield (less wastage) often keeps the final price competitive.
Read specific page
It’s a process where puffed makhana is cooled quickly to lock in the crunch and prevent the seeds from becoming chewy.
Read specific page
Modern units like ours track batches from specific ponds, allowing us to tell exactly where and when your Makhana was harvested.
Read specific page
Bihar produces nearly 90% of India's makhana. The unique agro-climatic conditions of regions like Katihar and Madhubani provide the perfect ecosystem for the Euryale ferox plant to thrive.
The GI Tag ensures that the makhana is recognized for its unique origin and superior quality, protecting the traditional methods used by Bihar's farmers.
We use a meticulous grading process (including 6+ Suta hand-picking) and avoid all artificial chemicals or preservatives, maintaining international export standards.
Bihar’s specific soil and water temperature in the Mithila region produce seeds that are larger, whiter, and more nutritionally dense than those grown elsewhere.
Yes, we specialize in bulk B2B shipments and international exports, ensuring moisture-controlled packaging to maintain the signature Bihar crunch.
Most makhana in Bihar is grown naturally in ponds using traditional methods with minimal to no chemical intervention, making it a highly pure superfood.
While Madhubani is a traditional leader, Katihar and Purnea have emerged as massive production and processing hubs, now hosting the headquarters of the National Makhana Board.
In early 2026, wholesale prices for premium grades fluctuate between ₹700–₹900 per kg depending on the suta size and sorting quality.
Yes. Since the introduction of specific HS codes for Makhana in 2025, PLS Agro Foods ensures all batches meet APEDA and international food safety certifications (FDA/EU).
As of early 2026, Bihar produces around 1.1 to 1.2 Lakh MT of raw seeds, which translates to roughly 60,000 MT of popped makhana after processing.
Under the 2025-26 initiative, the Bihar government offers a 75% subsidy (up to ₹72,750 per hectare) to promote cultivation in 16 key districts.
While Madhubani is traditionally first, Katihar and Purnea now compete closely, especially in high-volume B2B processing and export.
We facilitate exports to the USA, Canada, UAE, UK, Singapore, and Australia. We are fully compliant with US-FDA and EU novel food regulations.
For sea freight, our standard MOQ is a 20ft Container (approx. 4-5 MT of popped makhana), but we also handle LCL (Less than Container Load) for trial shipments.
Yes. We offer OEM and Private Label services, where we handle the production, grading, and nitrogen-flushed packaging under your brand name.
Yes, we are a pan-India supplier. We have established logistics partners that allow us to ship bulk quantities from our Katihar unit to any state in India within 5-7 working days.
Our standard wholesale MOQ starts at 100kg, but we offer specialized pricing tiers for larger orders exceeding 1 Tonne.
Absolutely. Whether you need jumbo flakes for premium gifting or smaller sizes for ingredients, we can customize the hand-picking and grading process to your specifications.

Still have questions?

Contact Support
Chat with us