European traders reported on Monday that Algeria's state grain agency OAIC had issued a tender for the international purchase of milling wheat.

The deadline to submit price offers for the tender is March 12th, with all offers valid until March 13th.

Algeria usually buys much more than the nominal volume. Wheat can be supplied from any approved origin.

Wheat is shipped in two phases from the main regions of supply, including Europe: 1-15 May and 16-31 May. The shipment date is one month earlier if the wheat comes from South America or Australia.

Algeria used to be the largest export market for European Union Wheat, with France as the main supplier.

In recent months, French sales in Algeria have ceased due to the diplomatic crisis between Algiers & Paris.

Traders estimated that OAIC purchased between 360,000 and 480,000 tons of wheat in its last full-scale tender, which took place on February 12.

(source: Reuters)