Iraq buys about 150,000 tonnes wheat in tender – traders

Iraq’s state grains buyer purchased about 150,000 tonnes of hard wheat expected to be sourced from Canada, Lithuania and Australia in an international tender, European traders said on Friday.

The purchase was believed to involve at least 50,000 tonnes of Canadian wheat, said to have been bought at the lowest price of an estimated $489.80 a tonne c&f, they said. Trading house Viterra was said to be the seller.

About 50,000 tonnes of wheat sourced from Lithuania was also said to have been bought at about $499 a tonne c&f from trading house Hanalico.

Some 50,000 tonnes of Australian wheat was purchased at about $480 a tonne c&f from trading house Tiryaki, they said.

Iraq does not release results of its tenders and reports are based on trade estimates. More detailed estimates are still possible later.

The wheat could be sourced from optional origins but Russian wheat could not be offered, they said. Volumes in Iraq’s tenders are nominal and the country often buys more than sought.

Iraq said on Oct. 17 the country needs to import 5 million tonnes of wheat in 2023, including at least 2 million in the first four months of the new year.
Source: Reuters (Reporting by Michael Hogan)