India may import 300,000 tonnes wheat

India is likely to start its 2007 wheat imports with a purchase of 300,000 tonnes and float more tenders to build a "strong buffer", a senior government official said on Tuesday. Government-owned State Trading Corp last month floated a tender for importing 1 million tonnes to augment supplies to the government's wheat bins.
The government also aims to buy 11 million tonnes of the new season wheat from Indian farmers against 9.2 million tonnes purchased last year, the official, who did not wish to be identified, told Reuters.