Seeds ExporterRhodes Grass Seed exporter — Pakistan origin
Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) seed, fine-cut and Katambora types, is exported at 98% purity and 80% germination under HS 120929 in 25 kg bags. It is the main hay grass under centre-pivot irrigation in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Sudan, and a pasture grass across Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania, with growing demand in Malaysia and Thailand for dairy cut-and-carry.
Rhodes seed is fluffy and light. Our lots are de-awned on a debearder and cleaned to a bulk density that flows through pneumatic seeders, and every bag is lined and sealed against moisture uptake, which is the main reason Rhodes germination drops in transit.
Quick answer
Specification
Standard export specification for rhodes grass seed, as it appears on the pro forma invoice and the lot report. Custom specifications (higher purity, treated seed, different pack, private label) are quoted on request.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Chloris gayana |
| HS code | 120929 |
| Varieties / grades | Fine cut, Katambora type |
| Purity | 98% min |
| Germination | 80% min |
| Types | Fine cut, Katambora |
| Moisture | 10% max |
| Inert matter | 2% max |
| Other crop seed | 0.5% max |
| Weed seed | 0.5% max |
| Quarantine weeds | Nil (screened) |
| Bulk density | 0.25–0.30 kg/litre, de-awned |
| Seeds per kg | approx. 3,500,000–4,000,000 (de-awned) |
| Colour / appearance | Straw to light brown, awns removed, free-flowing |
| Coating | Uncoated standard; coated on request |
| Sowing rate | 8–12 kg/ha |
| Cuts per year (irrigated) | 6–8 |
| Salinity tolerance | Good, to EC 8–10 dS/m |
| Packing | 25 kg |
| MOQ | 1 x 20ft |
| Origin | Pakistan (Sindh / Punjab unless stated) |
Varieties and grades
Fine cut. A finer-stemmed, leafier Rhodes type selected for hay quality: it dries fast in the windrow, bales with less stem loss and gives a softer, greener bale that camel, horse and dairy buyers in the Gulf pay a premium for. Under pivot at Al Ain or Al Kharj it is cut every 30–35 days for 6–8 cuts and 15–20 t dry matter a year. This is what most Gulf hay farms specify.
Katambora type. A more robust, slightly later diploid type that is resistant to root-knot nematode and persists longer under grazing and rough management. It is the choice for permanent pasture and erosion control in Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania, for saline-soil reclamation in Sudan and Iraq, and for rotation with vegetables where nematodes are a problem.
Both are supplied de-awned and uncoated as standard. Coated seed (clay or lime pellet, roughly doubling the weight per seed) can be supplied on request for aerial or broadcast sowing; the lab report then states purity and germination on the uncoated basis.
Uses by industry
Who buys rhodes grass seed from Pakistan and what they do with it.
- Gulf hay farms. Fine-cut Rhodes under pivot for baled hay sold to camel owners, racing stables and dairy farms; 6–8 cuts a year.
- Dairy cut-and-carry. Green chop for dairy herds in Malaysia, Thailand and East Africa; lower protein than legumes but reliable bulk.
- Permanent pasture. Katambora type for grazing in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and South Africa, often with Brachiaria or Panicum.
- Saline and reclamation land. Sown on soils to EC 8–10 dS/m in Sudan, Iraq and coastal Saudi Arabia where alfalfa fails.
- Erosion control and roadsides. Stoloniferous cover on banks and pivot corners; Katambora persists without irrigation once established.
Quality control and testing
Every lot of rhodes grass seed offered for export is tested in Kohenoor's own laboratory in Hyderabad to the ISTA International Rules: a submitted sample of at least 1 kg drawn with a stick trier from a minimum of 10% of bags, purity analysis by species on a working sample (pure seed, other crop seed, weed seed and inert matter by weight), germination on 4 x 100 seeds in a controlled chamber for the prescribed period, moisture by the oven method and a thousand-seed weight. Forage legumes and small-seeded grasses also get a separate 500 g count for dodder (Cuscuta spp.) and other quarantine weed seed, which is the item most import permits ask about. Results go on an ISTA-format report with the lot number that appears on the bag labels, packing list and phytosanitary certificate.
Before the lab sees the lot it has been through air-screen cleaning, a gravity table and Buhler Sortex optical sorting, which removes off-colour, immature and weed seed that sieving cannot. A lot that misses the specification is re-sorted or dropped from export; it is never blended up. Prior-crop lots are re-tested before dispatch and no container leaves on a report older than 90 days.
For Rhodes grass the laboratory reports bulk density and a florets-per-gram count, because a lot that is not properly de-awned will not meter in a seeder even if it passes purity. Germination is run with pre-chill and alternating 20/35 °C for 21 days per ISTA, and every lot is screened for quarantine grass weeds that some African and Australian permits name.
How to verify on arrival. Draw a composite sample from at least 10 bags with a trier, seal and label it with the lot number, and test within 14 days at your NPPO or any ISTA-accredited station. Compare against the report using the ISTA tolerance tables (about 6 percentage points between two 400-seed germination tests at the 85% level, 0.5–1.0 points for purity at 99%). If a result falls outside tolerance, send the report and the sealed bag labels within 30 days; we re-test the 1 kg reference sample we keep from every lot for 12 months and settle any confirmed difference by price adjustment or replacement.
Packing, loading and shipping
Standard packing for rhodes grass seed is 25 kg, in woven polypropylene bags with an inner polyethylene liner. Each pack is printed or labelled with product, variety or grade, lot number, net weight, origin (Pakistan), exporter and any text the importing country's labelling rules require, and closed with a sewn tear-off tag. Private-label printing is available with artwork two weeks before loading.
A 20ft container carries about 12–14 MT (about 480 x 25 kg per 20ft) loose-stacked on a kraft-paper floor in a brick pattern with a cardboard door wall; a 40ft carries about 20–22 MT (40ft HC). Palletised loads on ISPM 15 heat-treated pallets take roughly 10% less and are used for Europe, East Asia, North America and Australia where the container is unloaded by forklift. Desiccant bags are added for humid destinations on request. Every stuffing is photographed from empty box to applied seal and the photos go to the buyer the same day with the packing list. Full figures for every product are in the container loading guide.
Storage and shelf life. Rhodes seed loses germination faster than legume seed: at 10% moisture in sealed lined bags below 25 °C it holds 80% for 12–18 months, but it draws moisture quickly if bags are opened in a humid warehouse. Keep bags sealed until sowing and sow within a year of the test date.
| Container | Net cargo | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 20ft standard | 12–14 MT | about 480 x 25 kg per 20ft; loose on kraft-paper floor |
| 40ft / 40ft HC | 20–22 MT (40ft HC) | Weight-limited on dense seed; volume-limited on light seed |
| Palletised (any size) | ≈ 10% less | ISPM 15 pallets, shrink-wrapped and strapped |
| LCL / air | 5 MT LCL | Higher per-kg rate; used for trial lots |
Documents and import compliance
Every container of rhodes grass seed leaves with the phytosanitary certificate from the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) Karachi carrying the importer's additional-declaration wording, a certificate of origin from the Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce, the ISTA-format purity and germination report, commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading, plus a fumigation certificate and pre-shipment inspection report where the destination requires them. The table lists what the main destinations for this product ask for; the documents guide explains each certificate and the import guide shows the sequence.
| Country | Authority | Documents required | Transit from Karachi |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | MOCCAE | Phytosanitary certificate; Certificate of origin; ISTA test report; commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading | 7–10 days sea from Karachi |
| Saudi Arabia | MEWA / SFDA | Phytosanitary certificate; Certificate of origin; SABER registration where applicable; commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading | 8–12 days sea |
| Oman | MAFWR | Phytosanitary certificate; Certificate of origin; commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading | 5–8 days sea |
| Qatar | MME | Phytosanitary certificate; Certificate of origin; commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading | 8–11 days sea |
| Kuwait | PAAFR | Phytosanitary certificate; Certificate of origin; commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading | 9–12 days sea |
| Bahrain | MWMAUP | Phytosanitary certificate; Certificate of origin; commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading | 9–12 days sea |
| Sudan | Plant Protection Directorate | Phytosanitary certificate; Certificate of origin; commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading | 10–14 days sea |
| Kenya | KEPHIS | Phytosanitary certificate; Certificate of origin; Plant import permit; commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading | 12–16 days sea |
| Ethiopia | MoA Ethiopia | Phytosanitary certificate; Certificate of origin; Import permit; commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading | 10–14 days sea |
| Uganda | MAAIF | Phytosanitary certificate; Certificate of origin; Import permit; commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading | 18–24 days |
HS classification. Rhodes grass seed falls under HS 1209.29 (other forage seed for sowing), the same sub-heading as Panicum and Brachiaria. Kenya (KEPHIS), Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania and South Africa require a plant import permit before loading and may name quarantine weed species on it; Gulf states clear on the phytosanitary certificate and certificate of origin. Seed for sowing is duty-free in all listed markets.
Season, new crop and availability
Rhodes grass is a warm-season crop: seed fields are sown in spring and the main harvest is September–November, with new-crop seed shipping from November after de-awning, cleaning and a 21-day germination test. A smaller spring harvest in April–May tops up stock for Gulf buyers sowing in early autumn.
Gulf farms sow in March–April and again in September–October; East African buyers sow with the long rains in March–April. Order by December for the spring window and by July for the autumn window. Reserve new-crop volume by August.
The availability calendar shows every product month by month, and prior-crop lots are always described as such on the pro forma.
Price factors and how to get today's rate
Kohenoor does not publish a price for rhodes grass seed because a price is only meaningful for a specific lot, grade, pack, quantity and date. A firm FOB Karachi or CIF quote in USD per kg or per MT comes back within 24 hours of an enquiry and is held for 7–14 days. What moves the number, in order of size:
- Crop year and timing. Pre-harvest bookings are fixed and usually lowest; spot prices rise in a short crop or when prior-crop stock runs down before new crop. Difference between the two can be 15–20%.
- Grade and purity. Fine-cut and Katambora are priced close together; the larger differences come from de-awning quality (bulk density), coated versus uncoated seed and the freight per kg, which is about 50% higher than for alfalfa because a container fills by volume at 12–14 MT.
- Packing. 25 kg loose bags are the base; 50 kg is slightly cheaper per kg; 10 kg, cartons, private label and palletising add 2–8%.
- Quantity. Each additional container in one contract is priced 2–5% lower; LCL lots cost 20–40% more per kg because inspection, documents and handling are the same for 2 MT as for 20 MT.
- Incoterm. FOB Karachi is the base; CIF adds freight and insurance at the current line rate for your port; road delivery to Afghanistan, Iran and Central Asia is priced per truck.
- Tests and treatment. Third-party COA, residue or aflatoxin panels, SGS inspection, fumigation and seed treatment are itemised at cost.
Samples. 200 g to 1 kg from the offered lot is free against courier charges (typically USD 40–90) and goes out with the current report. Larger trial lots are invoiced at the container rate. The full logic, MOQ table and sample policy are on seed prices and MOQ.
How this compares
Rhodes grass competes with Panicum (Mombasa) and Brachiaria for tropical pasture and with alfalfa for irrigated hay. Rhodes wins on salinity tolerance, hay quality and seed availability; Panicum on yield and shade tolerance; Brachiaria on acid-soil persistence.
| Criterion | Rhodes Grass Seed | <a href="/products/panicum/">Panicum (Guinea / Mombasa Grass) Seed</a> | <a href="/products/brachiaria/">Brachiaria (Signal / Ruzi / Mulato type) Seed</a> |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Perennial, stoloniferous | Perennial, tufted | Perennial, stoloniferous |
| Purity / germination | 98% / 80% | 95% / 70% | 90% / 60% |
| Sowing rate | 8–12 kg/ha | 6–8 kg/ha | 8–10 kg/ha |
| Salinity tolerance | Good (EC 8–10) | Low | Low |
| Acid soil tolerance | Moderate | Moderate | Good |
| Hay quality | Best (fine cut) | Good, coarser | Fair |
| 20ft load | 12–14 MT | 5–6 MT | 10–12 MT |
Markets served
Kohenoor has shipped rhodes grass seed to United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Malaysia, Thailand. Demand is led by pivot-irrigated hay farms in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Sudan, followed by pasture programmes in Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda and dairy cut-and-carry in Malaysia and Thailand. Each destination has its own permit and phytosanitary wording; the country pages under markets summarise them and we prepare the certificate to match before DPP inspection.
Specialist site and further reading
Detailed agronomy, variety trials and technical downloads for rhodes grass seed are published on our specialist site kohenoorint.com. Variety-level agronomy (sowing rate, cutting schedule, seed standards, trial data) is on our reference site worldseed.net: rhodes grass fine cut. For pricing, MOQ and shipping use the quote form on this page; the lab and sorting line are described on the quality page, and all 28 lines are listed under products.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Rhodes grass seed fill a container at lower weight than alfalfa?
Rhodes seed has a bulk density of roughly 0.25–0.30 kg/litre even after de-awning, against 0.75 for alfalfa. A 20ft container fills volumetrically at about 12–14 MT; a 40ft high-cube takes 20–22 MT. Pricing is per kg so freight per kg is higher, and we recommend 40ft HC for economy.
Is your Rhodes seed de-awned?
Yes. Awns are removed on a debearder so the seed flows in air seeders and can be metered accurately. Uncoated, de-awned seed is standard; coated seed is available on request for aerial sowing.
What is the difference between fine-cut and Katambora?
Fine-cut is a finer-stemmed, leafier type that makes higher-quality hay and is what most Gulf hay farms specify. Katambora is more robust, slightly later, and resistant to root-knot nematode, so it is preferred for permanent pasture in East Africa.
Which countries do you ship Rhodes grass seed to?
Mainly United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Sudan, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Malaysia, Thailand. Phytosanitary requirements differ by country; the markets pages list the import permits needed.
What sowing rate and depth do you recommend?
8–12 kg/ha of de-awned seed drilled at 0.5–1 cm or broadcast onto a firm, moist seedbed and rolled; do not bury deeper than 1 cm. Soil temperature should be above 18 °C. Coated seed needs the rate adjusted for the coating weight.
Why is Rhodes germination only 80% minimum?
Grass seed of this type naturally carries empty florets and dormant seed; 80% on a 21-day ISTA test is the commercial standard for de-awned Rhodes worldwide. Our lots usually test 82–88% at loading and are re-tested if the certificate is older than 90 days.
Can Rhodes grass be grown on saline soil?
Yes, to about EC 8–10 dS/m, which is why it is used for reclamation in Sudan, Iraq and coastal Saudi Arabia where alfalfa fails. Yield falls with salinity but the stand persists.
How should I store Rhodes seed after arrival?
Keep bags sealed in a dry store below 25 °C and sow within 12 months of the test date. Rhodes seed picks up moisture quickly once bags are opened, and germination can drop 10 points in a humid season.
Do you supply coated Rhodes seed?
On request. Clay or lime coating roughly doubles the weight per seed and helps ballistic spreading and aerial sowing. The lab report states purity and germination on the uncoated seed and the coating percentage separately.
When is new-crop Rhodes seed available?
From November after the September–November harvest, de-awning and a 21-day germination test. A smaller April–May harvest supplies the autumn Gulf sowing window. Order by December for spring sowing and by July for autumn.
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