HAMBURG/ABU DHABI: Saudi Arabia bought 690,000 tonnes of hard wheat via a tender, the country's main state grain agency Grain Silos and Flour Mills Organisation (GSFMO) said on Monday. The wheat, with 12.5 percent protein content, is for shipment during April and May, GSFMO Director General Waleed Elkhereiji said in a statement.

The accepted origins are the European Union, North America, South America and Australia at the option of sellers, the GSFMO said.

It said the purchase comprised these purchases in dollars a tonne with the shipment period in 2015 in brackets: Shipment to Jeddah Port: - 60,000 tones hard wheat from Concordia at $252.22 C&F (Apr. 1-10) - 60,000 tones hard wheat from Concordia at $252.22 C&F (Apr.10-20) - 60,000 tones hard wheat from Louis Dreyfus at $250.64 C&F (Apr. 20-30) - 60,000 tones hard wheat from Louis Dreyfus at $254.64 C&F (May 1-10) - 55,000 tones hard wheat from ADM at $254.91 C&F (May 10-20) - 55,000 tones hard wheat from ADM at $254.91 C&F (May 20-30) Shipment to Dammam Port: - 55,000 tones hard wheat from ADM at $255.96 C&F (Apr. 1-10) - 60,000 tones hard wheat from Louis Dreyfus at $255.14 C&F (Apr. 10-20) - 55,000 tones hard wheat from ADM at $256.96 C&F (Apr. 20-30) - 60,000 tones hard wheat from Concordia at $257.95 C&F (May 1-10) - 55,000 tones hard wheat from ADM at $256.45 C&F (May 10-20) - 55,000 tones hard wheat from ADM at $258.71 C&F (May 20-30).

In its last reported tender on Nov. 24, the GSFMO bought 345,000 tonnes of hard wheat, with accepted origins the European Union, North and South America and Australia.

Saudi Arabia has become a major importer of hard and soft wheat since abandoning plans for self-sufficiency in wheat in 2008 as farming in the desert drained away precious water supplies.

The country aims to steadily reduce agriculture and plans to be completely reliant on imports by 2016 to save water.

Copyright Reuters, 2015