Topaz: new fragrant rice variety

A new premium fragrant rice variety Topaz has been developed by the NSW DPI in partnership with the Rural Industries Research Development Corporation, SunRice and Rice Research Australia Pty Ltd.

Topaz was bred for Australia's temperate rice growing conditions.

In market testing in Hong Kong, Topaz outperformed other fragrant rice varieties for taste, appearance and flavour.

Jasmine rice is the largest segment of the Australian rice market and one of the fastest growing rice markets globally. As a premium variety, Topaz will create new opportunities in these high value markets.

Topaz will be available to growers this October when the 2015 crop planting commences, and in supermarkets from June 2015.

Nineteen new rice varieties have been successfully developed to date by the NSW DPI rice breeding and grain quality program.