The Iraqi Grain Board issued a tender to purchase at least 100,000 tonnes of wheat from any origin, European traders said on Monday. Offers are due by January 26 and must be valid until February 2, traders said. Amounts requested in grain tenders in Iraq, one of the world's leading importers of wheat and rice, are nominal and the government often buys more than originally requested.
Shipment was not specified, traders said. In its previous wheat tender reported on October 29, Iraq bought about 300,000 tonnes of wheat after seeking offers for at least 100,000 tonnes. The purchase involved 100,000 tonnes of US wheat at about $234 a tonne fob, 100,000 tonnes of Russian wheat at about $209 fob and about 100,000 tonnes of Australian wheat at an unnamed price, traders said.
In another tender reported on October 8, Iraq purchased at least 200,000 tonnes of US wheat at around $203 per tonne fob with possibly a further 100,000 tonnes bought from Russia. Most of Iraq's grain imports go towards a public rations programme, one of the world's largest. In October, the board said the state-run company had secured a $500 million loan to cover grain purchases and that it would continue to buy wheat for 2010 due to favourable prices.