Jordan, a major Middle East grain importer, could change its wheat import purchasing terms after struggling to buy in recent months, a government source told Reuters on Wednesday. "There are specialised committees that are studying the specifications and conditions upon the request of suppliers," the source said.
"It is possible that within two weeks this will be announced," he said. Jordan has not made a successful wheat purchase since March 8 when it bought 100,000 tonnes from Dolge. It has failed to buy wheat four times in tenders since.
The source did not detail what the changes would involve but said they would involve changes to the way penalties were paid. The Middle Eastern importer has been having trouble importing wheat and barley since late 2015 after new terms on quality control and payment were introduced which reduced participation by international trading houses. "There is thin international demand for wheat and barley and big supplies in exporting countries seeking buyers," one European trader said. "Despite this, Jordan is only attracting two or three trading houses to its tenders against 10 or more in 2015 before the rule changes."