Fox Nut (Makhana) Manufacturer, Supplier & Exporter India — Bihar Origin Premium Grade

What is Fox Nut (Makhana)?

Premium Superfood•100% Organic Sourced•HS Code 2008.19.22

Fox nut — scientifically known as Euryale ferox — is an aquatic plant seed harvested from lotus ponds and wetlands. The seed is roasted or popped using traditional dry-heat methods to produce the white, puffed kernel commercially known as makhana. Fox nut has been cultivated and consumed in India for over 2,000 years — used in Ayurvedic medicine, religious ceremonies and traditional cooking. In global markets it has rapidly gained recognition as a premium plant-based superfood.

India currently accounts for over 90% of global fox nut production, primarily concentrated in the unique wetland ecosystems of Bihar. Health retailers and food manufacturers seek this premium ingredient due to its exceptional nutritional properties, satisfying crunch, and versatility.

Nutritional Profile

Fox nut contains kaempferol — a flavonoid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is one of the few plant foods that is simultaneously high in protein, low in fat, gluten-free, nut-free and dairy-free — making it compatible with nearly every major dietary preference including vegan, paleo, keto-adjacent and Ayurvedic diets.

Nutrient	Per 100g (Popped Makhana)	Significance
Protein	9–11 g	Higher than most cereal snacks
Carbohydrates	76–80 g	Low GI — slow energy release
Fat	0.1–0.5 g	Naturally very low fat
Fibre	7–9 g	Good dietary fibre
Calcium	60–80 mg	Bone health
Magnesium	67 mg	High for a plant food
Potassium	500 mg	Cardiovascular support
Glycaemic Index	Low (GI ~52)	Diabetic-friendly
Allergens	Gluten-free · Nut-free · Dairy-free	Suitable for all diet restrictions

Commercial Grades

Fox nut is graded by kernel size in "suta" (kernels per tola of weight). Note that a lower suta represents larger popped kernel sizes. Always specify grade in your purchase orders to ensure consistency.

Grade	Kernel Size	Appearance	Primary Use	Price Premium
4 Suta	Above 18mm diameter	Extra large, uniform, premium presentation	Premium retail packs, gourmet food service, nutraceuticals	+15–25% over 5 suta
5 Suta	15–18mm diameter	Large, good uniformity, clean white	Standard export benchmark, widely traded	Standard benchmark price
6 Suta	12–15mm diameter	Smaller kernels, mixed size acceptable	Bulk manufacturing, flour production, economy grade	8–12% below 5 suta
Broken / Lava	Fragments and splits	Mixed sizes, irregular shape	Fox nut flour, powder, industrial food ingredient	Lowest — commodity grade

⚠️ Important Note: Buyers requiring 4 suta for premium presentation must specify this explicitly. Fox nut ordered without grade details defaults to standard 5 suta mixed grade.

Applications by Industry

Health Food & Snack Brands

Fastest-growing snack base in Western markets. Whole popped fox nuts are roasted, seasoned (with cheese, masala, wasabi, or caramel), and packaged in 30g–80g pouches to compete directly with popcorn.

Nutraceutical Formulations

Procured in 25 kg bags as a high-protein, antioxidant-rich ingredient for trail mixes, protein bars, granola blends, and supplement powders in the US and Germany.

Gluten-Free Bakery Ingredient

Fox nut flour (makhana flour) has growing demand under Indian export code 20081922. Sourced as a nutrient-dense, gluten-free baking alternative for specialty bread and muffin mixes.

Traditional Medicine & Wellness

Used in Ayurvedic formulations for kidney and cardiovascular support. Sourced by traditional medicine practitioners in Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia.

Why India is the Only Viable Source

India dominates 90% of global fox nut supply. Bihar’s specific wetland ecology (in districts like Madhubani and Darbhanga) provides the ideal temperature, water depth, and soil composition required for the Euryale ferox plant to produce high-yield, premium-quality seeds.

90% Production

No other country has the agricultural wetlands or processing infrastructure to match Indian supply scales.

Roasting Expertise

The precision dry-heat roasting and manual popping technique is inherited and perfected over generations in Bihar.

Zero Export Duty

Indian Makhana is classified as a freely exportable product with zero quota constraints and favorable global trade flows.

Logistics & Packaging

Parameter	Information
Packaging	25 kg PP woven bags with moisture-barrier inner PE liner (Standard B2B) · Retail packing possible for large accounts (1 MT+)
FCL Capacity	Approximately 15–18 MT of bagged fox nut per 20-ft container
Primary Ports	Kolkata Port (closest to processing cluster) · Nhava Sheva (JNPT) · Chennai
HS Codes	2008.19.22 (Popped/roasted Fox Nut/Makhana) · 2008.19.22 (Makhana Flour)
Transit Times	USA: 22–28 days \| UAE / Gulf: 10–15 days \| UK / Europe: 22–28 days \| Australia: 18–24 days \| Southeast Asia: 12–18 days
Shelf Life & Storage	12–18 months. Store below 25°C away from moisture and direct sunlight.
Minimum Order Quantity	100 kg trial order (air/courier) · 500 kg B2B order (sea freight)

Why Buy From Us

We source fox nut directly from established processors in Bihar’s Madhubani and Darbhanga belt — where India’s finest makhana is cultivated and processed. Our supply focus is B2B bulk orders for food manufacturers, nutraceutical ingredient buyers and wholesale importers.

Quality & Moisture Control

Grade specifications clearly defined and verified (4, 5, or 6 suta). Moisture kept strictly below 8% at dispatch. Every batch undergoes aflatoxin testing, with laboratory certificates provided.

Complete Documentation

Full compliance exports with phytosanitary certificates, APEDA registration, Certificate of Origin, and COA. Halal certificates can be organized from certified regional units upon request.

Payment Terms

30% advance against proforma invoice and 70% against scan copy of Bill of Lading — or Letter of Credit from any scheduled bank.

* Revised terms considered for buyers with 3 or more completed orders.

Product Gallery

5 Suta Fox Nut

6 Suta Mithila Fox Nut

Premium Popped Makhana

Frequently Asked Questions

Suta refers to the number of kernels per tola of weight — higher suta number means smaller kernel. 4 suta is the largest, most premium grade preferred for high-end retail and gourmet food service. 5 suta is the standard export benchmark. 6 suta is the economy grade used in bulk food manufacturing. Always specify grade in your purchase order.

Yes — fox nut is naturally gluten-free, nut-free and dairy-free. It is compatible with vegan, paleo and most dietary restriction frameworks. We provide a gluten-free declaration from the processing unit. Third-party gluten-free certification (below 20 ppm) can be arranged on request for EU and USA markets.

Fox nut maintains quality for 12–18 months from manufacture in sealed PP bags at below 25°C away from direct sunlight and moisture. Exposure to humidity causes the kernels to soften and lose their characteristic crunch. All our consignments are packed with moisture-barrier inner PE liners to protect quality during transit.

Yes — we supply both whole popped fox nut in standard grades and fox nut flour (makhana flour) under the new HS code 20081922. Fox nut flour is an emerging gluten-free baking ingredient with growing demand in Europe and USA — very few Indian exporters are currently supplying it in organised B2B quantities.

100 kg for trial orders shipped by courier or air freight. 500 kg minimum for sea freight B2B orders. Full container loads from 15–18 MT. Samples can be arranged within 5 days for pickup by buyer through their courier before committing to trial quantities.

30% advance against proforma invoice and 70% against scan copy of Bill of Lading — or Letter of Credit from any scheduled bank. Revised terms considered for buyers with 3 or more completed orders.

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