European traders revealed yesterday that the Algerian Grain Office has initiated an international tender to purchase a quantity of soft wheat for shipment to only two ports.
The traders added that Algeria aims to buy 50,000 tons, but the shipment to only two ports generally indicates that the quantity will be less.
The deadline for submitting price offers in the tender is today, Monday, with the bids remaining valid until next Tuesday.
Wheat is required to be shipped at several intervals from major supply regions, including Europe.
The first period is from the beginning to the 15th of April, the second from the 16th to the 30th of April, the third from the beginning to the 15th of May, the fourth from the 16th to the 31st of May, and the fifth from the 16th to the 30th of June.
Traders noted that Algeria did not request shipments in the first half of June. Shipments need to be made a month before the earlier dates if the supply is from South America or Australia.
Algeria, a significant wheat buyer from the European Union, especially France, has stipulated that the wheat must be unloaded at the ports of Mostaganem and/or Tenes.
Additionally, Algeria has issued a separate tender to purchase 50,000 tons of durum wheat.