A Syrian state purchasing agency has issued an international tender to purchase 135,000 tonnes of white rice, European traders said on Monday. The origin in the tender was optional, and shipment should take place within 120 days from the opening of a letter of credit for the purchase. The tender deadline is August 25. Syria has been more active in international commodity markets in past weeks, issuing tenders for wheat, flour and sugar.
Traders say it is now able to use money in foreign bank accounts, which has been frozen because of Western sanctions, to pay for food imports.