Iraq tenders to buy 30,000 tonnes of rice

Iraq's state grain board has issued a tender to buy up to 30,000 tonnes of rice, Iraqi officials said on Monday. Origin is optional, the bidding deadline is September 15 and bids must remain valid until September 23.
The new tender gave no shipment period but an Iraqi official said they expected delivery by end of November. Iraq regularly buys more wheat and rice than originally sought in tenders. There were unconfirmed reports that Iraq may have bought in the last few days about 60,000 tonnes of mainly Thai rice under the last tender which closed on August 19.
On August 10, traders said Iraq bought 90,000 tonnes of US rice after tendering for 30,000 tonnes for August/September delivery. Traders estimate Iraq is importing almost 90,000 tonnes of rice a month but the country is facing shortages following insufficient purchases on the international market in recent months.