Milling yields

Typical outputs of rice different rice mills

The milling yields are determined by variety, the history of the crop and the type of milling equipment used.

The potential yields can be determined using optimum quality paddy dried to 13% moisture content using laboratory milling equipment. Milling yields in the real world are often much lower. The table below lists some typical data for milling recovery and head rice recovery (both based on paddy weight) for various milling systems.

Milling process Milling recovery, % Head rice recovery, %
Potential (laboratory) 68-72 50-58¹
Single stage village mill (Engleberg steel mill) 50-55 15-30
Compact rice mill (two stage single pass village mill) >60 40-50
Multi stage, modern rice mill 65-70 45-55

¹ Depending on variety