Adlai rice: Diabetic-friendly grains for the health-conscious?

Adlai rice is all the rage.

It has many upsides: gluten-free, high in protein, low glycaemic index, packed with vitamins and minerals.

It has a major downside: its current price is four-times typical rice.

Alternative

This nutritious alternative to regular white rice, is gaining increased demand and consumption, thanks in part to its reported health benefits.

It is also known for its robust nutrient profile and anti-inflammatory properties, so Adlai appeals especially to health-conscious consumers and those looking for diabetic-friendly grains.

Food source

Asean countries play a key role in promoting Adlai as a sustainable food source.

Indigenous to northern Philippines, particularly in the Cordillera region, Adlai offers a promising option to reduce rice import dependence while boosting local farmer incomes.

Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia are also involved in Adlai production and promotion, though to different extents.

Its resilience to adverse weather conditions also makes it suitable for climate-vulnerable farming landscapes.

These countries see Adlai as part of diversifying their staple food base and enhancing food security amid growing populations and climate risks.

In Indonesia, for example, Adlai is marketed as a health food with increasing popularity among urban consumers.

While global trade in Adlai remains small compared to other varieties of rice, its niche appeal and health benefits are driving rising consumption trends.

Southeast Asian countries are increasingly investing in R&D to improve Adlai yields and market reach, aiming to capitalise on this trend.

This growing interest in Adlai signals a shift toward more diverse, health-oriented grains in Southeast Asia.

Despite these positives, Adlai is not grown as extensively as traditional rice.

Agronomic research highlights that information on its cultivation, yield performance, and production practices is relatively limited, with studies often focusing on varietal trials, nutrient applications, and breeding improvements rather than large-scale commercial production.

This limited cultivation contributes to lower overall availability compared to rice, which has far more established seed systems, mechanised production, and market integration globally.

Because of its limited production and niche market demand, adlai tends to be more expensive than commonly consumed rice varieties.

Market reports and agricultural analyses note that per-kilogram prices for adlai often exceed those of regular rice, reflecting lower supply, specialised processing, and its “superfood” positioning.

Adlai nutritional healt and benefits

[Source: 2024, Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences (JBES)]

Limited cultivation

While adlai offers nutritional advantages and potential health benefits, its limited cultivation and higher cost compared to conventionally grown rice keep it from mainstream staple status despite its superfood reputation.

In contrast, rice benefits from economies of scale, extensive cultivation infrastructure, and strong consumer demand, keeping its price relatively lower.