Grade Reference · Export Quality
6+ Suta Makhana —
Bulk & Export Quality Supply
6+ Suta makhana is the largest commercially available grade of fox nuts, preferred for premium export markets, branded snack manufacturing, and luxury retail. This reference covers specifications, applications, comparison with other grades, quality verification, and when this grade is — and is not — the right choice.
What Is 6+ Suta Makhana?
Direct answer: 6+ Suta makhana is the largest size grade of raw fox nuts, with kernels measuring approximately 16–21mm in diameter. One Suta equals approximately 1/8th of an inch (~3.175mm). At 6+ Suta, kernels are visually uniform, bright white, structurally intact, and meet the visual and nutritional standards required for premium export and branded retail applications.
Not all makhana from a given harvest qualifies as 6+ Suta. The largest kernels represent a smaller proportion of any batch — typically 15–25% of a standard harvest yield — which is why this grade commands a significant premium over 5 Suta or 4 Suta.
6+ Suta is sourced from the Mithilanchal wetlands of North Bihar — the primary cultivation zone for Euryale ferox in India. Kernel size at this grade is directly influenced by the hydrology and soil conditions of this specific region. Makhana from outside this zone rarely achieves consistent 6+ Suta sizing.
6+ Suta Makhana — Full Specifications
Kernel Size
16–21mm
Diameter at dispatch
Moisture Max
<5%
Required for export compliance
Breakage at Dispatch
<3%
Documented per batch
Whiteness
Bright white
No grey, yellow, or brown tinge
Expansion Ratio
2.5–3×
When roasted under standard conditions
MOQ Trial
50 kg
Commercial orders from 500 kg
| Parameter |
Specification |
Test Method |
Relevance |
| Aflatoxin B1 |
<10 ppb (FSSAI) · <4 ppb (EU) |
NABL accredited lab |
Mandatory for EU and US export |
| Lead (Pb) |
Per FSSAI limits |
NABL accredited lab |
Export rejection risk if exceeded |
| Cadmium (Cd) |
Per FSSAI limits |
NABL accredited lab |
GCC compliance requirement |
| Pesticide Residues |
Organophosphorus panel |
NABL accredited lab |
Standard export documentation |
| Moisture at Destination |
Specify at order stage |
Buyer measurement |
Transit gain possible — specify packaging |
All NABL lab reports available per commercial batch on request. Dispatch documentation includes weight, moisture at dispatch, and grade certificate.
Where Is 6+ Suta Makhana Used?
Primary applications: Export markets (UAE, UK, USA, Singapore, GCC), branded premium snack manufacturing, luxury retail packaging, HoReCa (hotels, restaurants, catering), and gift products requiring visual consistency.
Export Markets
The dominant grade for international trade. UAE, UK, USA, and Singapore buyers specify 6+ Suta for import. Requires NABL lab clearance and origin documentation for customs.
Premium Snack Brands
Branded roasted makhana products where large kernel size, visual uniformity, and high expansion ratio directly affect consumer perception and retail pricing.
Luxury Retail
Gift boxes, premium packaging, and specialty food retail where visual quality is the primary purchase driver. 6+ Suta kernels present consistently at this format.
HoReCa
Five-star hotels, premium restaurants, and catering operations serving makhana as a prepared ingredient or snack. Visual consistency across service portions requires this grade.
Private Label Export
Brands packaging makhana under their own label for international retail. 6+ Suta is the baseline specification for most UK and US supermarket buyers.
Nutraceuticals (Premium)
Supplement and health food brands where clean sourcing credentials and NABL documentation are as important as the physical grade specification.
5 Suta vs 6 Suta vs 6+ Suta — Comparison
Key distinction: 5 Suta is mainstream domestic snacking grade. 6 Suta is premium domestic retail. 6+ Suta is the export grade. The differences are not just size — they differ in moisture tolerance, documentation requirements, price, and supply availability.
| Feature |
5 Suta |
6 Suta |
6+ Suta |
| Kernel diameter |
10–13mm |
13–16mm |
16–21mm |
| Moisture max |
<7% |
<6% |
<5% |
| Breakage limit |
<4% |
<3% |
<3% |
| NABL required |
Optional domestic |
Recommended |
Mandatory for export |
| Export ready |
No |
Partially |
Yes — primary export grade |
| Price premium vs 5 Suta |
Baseline |
+15–20% |
+25–40% |
| Supply availability |
High |
Medium |
Limited — seasonal allocation |
| Primary buyer |
Snack brands, distributors |
Premium retail, brands |
Exporters, luxury retail, HoReCa |
5 Suta — Domestic Snacking
Best for volume buyers
- More economical per kg
- Higher supply availability
- Suitable for flavoured products
- Minimal documentation required
- Not suitable for international export
6+ Suta — Export Grade
Best for international buyers
- Largest kernel size available
- Full NABL documentation per batch
- US FDA and GCC compliant
- Seasonal — limited allocation
- Premium pricing — justified by export value
When NOT to Choose 6+ Suta Makhana
Key insight: 6+ Suta is not always the right choice. Buying this grade for applications that don't require large kernel size means paying a 25–40% premium for a specification that delivers no additional product value.
Do NOT use 6+ Suta for these applications
Grinding and flour production — Kernel size is irrelevant after grinding. 4 Suta produces identical nutritional output at significantly lower cost.
Heavily flavoured or coated products — Thick coatings mask size and visual differences between grades. 5 Suta is adequate and more economical for this format.
Products where kernels are intentionally crushed or broken — If size is destroyed in processing, the premium for large kernel size is waste.
Price-sensitive or high-volume domestic products — For mainstream market products where margin pressure is high, 5 Suta delivers better economics without quality compromise.
First product development trials — 6+ Suta supply is limited and allocated seasonally. For initial R&D, 5 or 6 Suta allows faster iteration without supply constraints.
Common Buyer Mistakes When Sourcing 6+ Suta Makhana
-
01
Assuming 6 Suta = 6+ Suta
These are distinct grades. 6 Suta measures 13–16mm and is a premium domestic grade. 6+ Suta measures 16–21mm and is the export grade with stricter moisture and documentation requirements. Suppliers who conflate these grades are supplying a lower grade at export pricing.
-
02
Not specifying moisture at destination
Moisture is measured at dispatch. Transit — especially during monsoon months — can increase moisture by 2–3% if packaging is inadequate. Buyers who specify only dispatch moisture without packaging requirements may receive compliant material that deteriorates before arrival.
-
03
Skipping NABL documentation
At export grade, NABL lab reports are not optional. Aflatoxin and heavy metal contamination is invisible. A visually perfect batch can fail customs inspection without documentation. Always request a current NABL report — not a report from a previous batch.
-
04
Buying without understanding seasonal allocation
6+ Suta is a limited-yield grade. Supply tightens significantly post-harvest (November–February) and is most abundant March–June. Buyers who delay procurement without securing allocation often face unavailability or significant price increases during peak demand periods.
-
05
Grade mixing from intermediaries
Some traders blend 5 Suta or 6 Suta into 6+ Suta lots. Visual inspection of a sample will not always detect this — especially in large container loads. Sourcing directly from a verifiable supplier with per-batch grade certificates is the only reliable protection against mixed-grade supply.
Why Source 6+ Suta Makhana from Amphichiral
Direct Sourcing
Sourced directly from the Mithilanchal wetlands — Darbhanga, Madhubani, Saharsa, Sitamarhi. No intermediary blending.
Batch Documentation
Every commercial batch ships with NABL lab report, grade certificate, moisture at dispatch, and AMP Trace ID for supply chain tracking.
Consistent Grading
Grade-specific supply across batches. No mixed-grade lots. Repeat buyers receive consistent specification across orders.
Export Capability
FSSAI licensed. NABL tested per batch. APEDA RCMC and IEC in process. Full documentation for international customs clearance.
Trial Available
50 kg trial orders accepted for 6+ Suta with full documentation. No commitment to commercial volumes until quality is verified.
Mithilanchal Origin
Origin documentation per batch. District-level sourcing records available. No material from outside the Mithilanchal zone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 6+ Suta makhana size in mm?
6+ Suta makhana kernels measure approximately 16–21mm in diameter. This is the largest commercially available grade of raw fox nuts. One Suta equals approximately 1/8th of an inch (3.175mm), so 6+ Suta represents kernels above six such units in diameter.
Is 6+ Suta makhana the best grade for export?
Yes — 6+ Suta is the standard export grade for international markets including UAE, UK, USA, Singapore, and GCC countries. It meets US FDA and GCC food safety standards when accompanied by NABL-certified lab reports. Export readiness requires this grade plus moisture below 5%, breakage below 3%, and current lab documentation.
What is the price difference between 5 Suta and 6+ Suta makhana?
6+ Suta typically commands a 25–40% premium over 5 Suta, depending on harvest season, supply availability, and batch quality. The premium reflects the smaller proportion of kernels in any harvest that reach export-grade size and the stricter quality requirements. All pricing is discussed privately after enquiry — no public pricing is published.
How do I verify 6+ Suta makhana quality before purchasing?
Request: (1) a grade certificate confirming Suta size at dispatch, (2) a current NABL accredited lab report covering moisture, heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, As), and mycotoxins (Aflatoxin B1/B2/G1/G2), and (3) breakage percentage at dispatch. For large orders, request a third-party inspection before dispatch. Document weight at dispatch to detect moisture gain during transit.
What is the minimum order quantity for 6+ Suta makhana?
Trial orders start from 50 kg for 6+ Suta with full NABL documentation included. Commercial orders typically start from 500 kg. Container loads of 5 tonnes and above are accommodated. Submit your requirement at amphichiral.com/enquire — include grade, volume, and delivery destination.