HAMBURG: Turkey's state grain board TMO has issued an international tender to purchase a total of some 500,000 tonnes of milling wheat, European traders said on Monday.

The tenders close on Sept. 15, they said.

Shipment is requested between Sept. 23 and October 16.

Red milling wheat is sought in a series of consignments of between 25,000 tonnes and 30,000 tonnes. The wheat is for unloading in the Turkish ports of Derince, Iskenderun, Mersin, Izmir, Band?rma, Tekirdag and Samsun.

Offers are sought for wheat with a minimum 12.5% protein content. The TMO reserves the right to buy up to 5% more or less than the tender volume at its own discretion, they said.

Offers can be made in US dollars, Russian roubles or Turkish lira. Accepting rouble offers is aimed at increasing participation by Russian exporters.