What is (and why should I buy) Kilombero Rice?

Kilombero rice has quickly become a staple on many of our customer's shopping lists, but is almost unheard of to most of us. So what's all the fuss about?

Kilombero Rice from Malawi isn’t just any rice—it’s a Great Taste Award winner, recognised for its unique and exceptional flavour, texture, and versatility in the kitchen. Whether you’re preparing a fragrant pilaf, a creamy risotto, or a simple side dish, this rice delivers consistent results that elevate your cooking with its delicate nutty flavour and firm yet tender grain.

Ethical Consumer Magazine awarded Kilombero Rice Best Buy status, praising it as “the most ethical rice on sale in the UK”. That’s thanks to a deep commitment to fair prices, environmental stewardship, and transparent sourcing through Fair Trade partnerships.

This rice is perfect for a range of global dishes—from African peanut stew to Thai curries or even rice salads and pudding. It’s the ideal pantry staple for home cooks, chefs, and ethical eaters who don’t want to compromise on flavour or values.

There are some  delicious recipes using Kilombero Rice on the True Origin website well worth checking out.

A Staple That Does More

What makes this rice stand out isn’t just what’s on your plate—it’s what’s happening behind the scenes. Grown by smallholder farmers in the Karonga District of Northern Malawi, this rice is a game changer. By choosing Kilombero Rice, you’re directly supporting communities and families facing some of the harshest effects of climate change. Your purchase contributes to sustainable agriculture, community development projects, and climate resilience, as well of course as a fair price for the rice producers.

True Origin Partnerships, the parent charity of True Origin Foods has been instrumental in supporting the rice farmers. Formerly known as The Balmore Trust the organisation has helped empower growers and their families to develop more sustainable production methods, to learn new skills and encourage entrepreneurship. 

Women had to carry 50kg bags of rice on their head to get them to market, now thanks to ox carts, which can also be towed more quickly by motorbike they no longer have to do that. These carts are being made by the rice producer community through training organised by Howard Msukwa. School desks are being made alongside the carts. 

The empowerment of women is key to Fair Trade and our way of doing business. True Origin Partnerships has supported a great initiative by one of the women,  Grace's Briquette Project. The women used to have to walk miles to gather firewood for cooking, which is now illegal. They are now producing charcoal briquettes from waste rice husks. Another notable project is the provision of solar water pumps for irrigation. 

Fancy trying it? Order here...

Kilombero Brown

Kilombero White