About Laila
Laila: The UK's Leading Basmati Rice Brand Since 1996 Laila has grown from its first 20kg bags of basmati rice leaving a Harwich mill in 1996 to become Britain's fastest-growing dry rice brand. Owned by Surya Foods, one of the UK's largest ethnic food importers, Laila brings the finest basmati from the Himalayan foothills to British kitchens alongside an extensive range of South Asian store cupboard essentials. At Grocefully, we help you compare Laila prices across UK supermarkets, ensuring you find the best deals on these quality ingredients. From Harwich to British Households The Laila story began in 1996 with a clear mission: provide discerning Asian shoppers with basmati rice that tasted as good as they knew it should. The first 20kg bags of Laila Basmati Rice left the Harwich mill bound for London, Birmingham, Manchester, and Bradford – cities with significant South Asian communities who would become the brand's earliest advocates. That founding concept proved transformative. Nearly three decades later, Laila stands as the UK's top-selling dry rice brand. What started serving a specific community now reaches mainstream British households who have discovered the quality difference that premium basmati delivers. This growth reflects broader changes in British eating habits. South Asian cuisine has moved from specialist restaurants to everyday home cooking. Curry has become a national dish. British families increasingly cook biryanis, pilafs, and curries at home, creating demand for quality ingredients previously found mainly in specialist stores. Laila positioned itself to serve this expanding market, maintaining the quality standards that satisfied its original discerning customers whilst making products accessible through major supermarkets nationwide. The Surya Foods Story Laila is owned by Surya Foods, one of the largest importers and distributors of ethnic foods in the UK. Under Managing Director Harry Dulai's leadership, Surya Foods has grown Laila from a single rice brand into a comprehensive South Asian food supplier. The company operates from headquarters in Harwich, Essex, maintaining direct relationships with farmers and owning a rice mill in Punjab where initial refining begins before shipping to the UK for final packaging. This vertical integration – from farm to mill to UK distribution – enables quality control at every stage. Unlike brands simply importing finished products, Surya Foods understands the entire supply chain from Himalayan paddy fields to British supermarket shelves. In 2022, Surya Foods launched a significant sustainability mission built on three pillars: People, Products, and Planet. This corporate commitment to sustainability reflects contemporary consumer expectations whilst acknowledging the environmental responsibilities inherent in global food supply chains. From the Foothills of the Himalayas Laila basmati rice comes from the Punjab provinces of Pakistan and India, harvested from fields in the Himalayan foothills. This geographical specificity matters – genuine basmati carries Protected Geographical Indication status, similar to Champagne or Parma ham, recognising that authentic basmati comes only from specific regions. The unique climate and conditions of the Punjab produce rice with the distinct characteristics that define quality basmati: long, slender grains that elongate dramatically when cooked, aromatic fragrance released during cooking, and fluffy, separate texture that enhances rather than competes with accompanying dishes. Laila works closely with farmers in these regions, maintaining relationships that ensure consistent quality across harvests. The company's own Punjab rice mill handles initial processing, allowing oversight before rice begins its journey to UK packaging facilities. This farm-to-table approach distinguishes Laila from brands with less direct supply chain involvement. Quality begins in the paddy fields, and Laila's presence from that starting point enables genuine quality control rather than mere import and rebrand operations. The Rice Range Basmati rice remains Laila's core product, offered in several varieties and sizes to suit different household needs and preferences. Laila Basmati Rice The original Laila Basmati Rice delivers the quality that built the brand's reputation. Available in convenient sizes from 1kg for occasional use through 5kg and 10kg bags for regular cooking households, this staple product suits everything from quick midweek meals to elaborate weekend biryanis. The classic Laila basmati offers excellent value for quality rice, providing the aromatic characteristics and cooking properties that distinguish genuine basmati from lesser alternatives. Laila Gold Basmati Rice Laila Gold represents the premium tier, a variety selected for exceptional length, aromatic fragrance, and superior quality. This premium option suits special occasions and those who appreciate the finest basmati characteristics. Gold grains elongate particularly dramatically during cooking, creating visually impressive presentations alongside superior taste and texture. While commanding premium pricing, Laila Gold delivers tangible quality differences visible on the plate. Laila Brown Basmati Rice Health-conscious consumers increasingly appreciate brown basmati for its nutritional profile. Laila Brown Basmati retains the bran layer removed during white rice processing, providing additional fibre and nutrients alongside basmati's distinctive characteristics. The rich, nutty, earthy flavour of brown basmati offers something different from white varieties, complementing dishes where its more robust character enhances rather than overwhelms accompanying flavours. Beyond Rice: The Complete Range Over the years, Laila has expanded far beyond rice into an extensive lineup spanning over 400 products. This growth reflects understanding that households cooking South Asian cuisine need more than rice alone. Chapatti Flour Laila extends its portfolio into premium chapatti flours, recognising that bread accompanies rice as a South Asian meal foundation. Their Atta (whole wheat flour) is 100% whole wheat, finely milled for perfect chapattis. Laila Brown Flour, made from hard red wheat, offers the healthiest option – rich in nutritional value and high in bran fibre. This wholesome choice suits health-conscious households whilst delivering traditional results. The flour range supports various cuisines from humble breads to cakes, extending Laila's store cupboard presence beyond specifically South Asian applications. Lentils and Beans Laila Naturals brings plant-powered nutrition through ranges of lentils, beans, and flours. From Red Split Lentils to Mung Dal Yellow, these products supply the protein-rich foundations of vegetarian South Asian cooking. These aren't exotic speciality ingredients but everyday essentials for millions of British households. Dal accompanies rice as a staple meal component, whilst various lentils and beans feature in countless recipes from simple weeknight suppers to elaborate celebration dishes. The Naturals range emphasises naturally enriched products sourced from farms worldwide, connecting global agriculture with British kitchen requirements. Spices No South Asian kitchen functions without spices, and Laila's expanding spice range addresses this fundamental need. Quality spices transform ordinary ingredients into flavourful meals, making spice selection consequential for cooking results. Laila sources spices with the same attention to quality demonstrated in rice sourcing. Ground spices lose potency over time, making freshness and quality at packaging critical for delivering genuine flavour impact in cooking. Pastes, Pickles, and Sauces Convenience products including curry pastes, pickles, and sauces help busy households prepare flavourful meals efficiently. Laila Kashmiri Chilli Sauce and Laila Jaipuri Chilli Garlic Sauce suit marinating meats or adding heat to meals. The tangy Laila Kolhapuri Mango Chilli Sauce and Gujarati Tamarind & Dates Sauce provide authentic flavour shortcuts. These products enable delicious results without extensive spice grinding and paste preparation. Pickles in the range offer traditional accompaniments that complete South Asian meals with tangy, spicy contrasts to main dishes. Ghee Laila Ghee brings rich flavour and aroma to cooking, adding depth that ordinary oils cannot provide. This clarified butter has sustained South Asian cooking for millennia, remaining essential for authentic results. Quality ghee transforms dishes, particularly rice preparations where it's stirred through after cooking. The distinctive flavour profile enhances both savoury cooking and sweet preparations. Ready Meals and Snacks Recent additions include ready meals and snacks, extending Laila into prepared foods for convenience occasions. These products deliver authentic flavours for consumers wanting South Asian tastes without cooking from scratch. Laila's Fine Foods Ltd, operating as a successful family-run business specialising in ready prepared meals, brings three decades of culinary expertise to authentic preparations from Indian, Italian, Far Eastern, English, and South American cuisines. The Elephant Rebrand Laila recently underwent a major rebrand introducing an elephant motif across packaging. This distinctive design element serves multiple purposes beyond visual refresh. The elephant celebrates South Asian heritage, connecting the brand visually with the cultures from which its products originate. Elephants feature prominently in South Asian art, religion, and daily life, making them appropriate symbols for a brand rooted in these traditions. More significantly, the elephant motif marks Laila's support for elephant conservation work. This commitment connects commercial success with environmental responsibility, channelling brand visibility toward meaningful causes. The rebrand demonstrates that heritage brands can evolve whilst honouring their roots. The new packaging is recognisably Laila whilst feeling contemporary and purposeful. Where to Buy Laila in the UK Major UK supermarkets stock Laila products, making quality South Asian ingredients accessible nationwide. Tesco carries Laila Basmati Rice in various sizes including the popular 10kg bags, plus Laila Gold Basmati for premium requirements. Clubcard deals often provide significant savings on these bulk purchases. Sainsbury's stocks Laila Basmati Rice and Laila Brown Basmati Rice. Nectar pricing frequently reduces costs substantially – some deals have seen 10kg bags reduced from £19 to £9.50, representing remarkable value for premium rice. Asda offers Laila Basmati Rice with competitive bulk pricing. Their Indian/Asian rice section features various Laila options with frequent promotions on 5kg and 10kg bags. Morrisons stocks Laila Rice with occasional limited-time offers, though the retailer less frequently leads on pricing compared to competitors. For the full 400+ product range, specialist Asian grocers and online retailers like DesiMart and Lakshmi Stores stock comprehensive selections beyond supermarket core ranges. Shopping Smart for Laila Several strategies help maximise value when purchasing Laila products. Festival timing offers significant savings. Diwali (October/November) brings the year's deepest discounts on basmati rice as supermarkets compete for celebration-related shopping. Eid promotions similarly reduce prices. Stocking up during these periods makes sense given rice's 12-24 month storage life when kept properly. Loyalty cards deliver genuine benefits. Nectar and Clubcard prices on Laila rice often represent substantial savings over standard shelf prices. Building purchases around these promotional prices maximises value. Bulk buying suits regular consumers. While 10kg bags represent significant purchases, the per-kilogram cost typically beats smaller packages substantially. Households cooking rice regularly benefit from larger quantities. Price comparison across retailers pays dividends. Laila pricing varies between supermarkets, and different retailers lead at different times. Checking prices before purchasing helps identify current best value. Cooking with Laila Quality ingredients deserve proper treatment to deliver their potential. Basmati rice benefits from rinsing before cooking, removing surface starch for fluffier results. Soaking for 20-30 minutes before cooking allows grains to absorb water gradually, promoting even cooking and maximum elongation. The traditional absorption method – measured water to rice ratio – produces excellent results with practice. Rice cookers also handle basmati well for consistent, convenient results. Ghee stirred through cooked rice adds richness that transforms simple preparations. A spoonful makes meaningful difference without overwhelming. Chapatti flour responds best to kneading until smooth and elastic, then resting before rolling. Experience develops feel for proper dough consistency. Sustainability Commitment Laila's parent company Surya Foods launched a sustainability mission in 2022 built on three pillars: People, Products, and Planet. This framework addresses contemporary concerns about food production's environmental and social impacts. The People pillar encompasses fair treatment throughout supply chains, supporting farming communities in rice-growing regions. Ethical sourcing matters increasingly to consumers aware of global food production realities. The Products pillar focuses on quality and responsibility in what Laila produces and sells. This includes packaging considerations and product formulation choices. The Planet pillar addresses environmental impacts from farming practices through transportation to end-of-life packaging considerations. Climate-conscious consumers appreciate brands acknowledging these responsibilities. Conclusion From those first 20kg bags leaving Harwich in 1996 to today's 400+ product range, Laila has grown to become Britain's leading basmati rice brand whilst maintaining the quality standards that built its reputation among discerning shoppers. The range now extends from premium basmati rice through chapatti flour, lentils, spices, pickles, ghee, and ready meals – providing comprehensive South Asian store cupboard essentials alongside everyday ingredients for all British households. Compare Laila prices across UK supermarkets through Grocefully and discover how quality ingredients can elevate your cooking without straining your budget. Whether you're preparing elaborate celebration meals or quick weeknight curries, Laila provides the foundations for delicious results.