April 30, 2004

Japan Buys 120,000 MT Wheat, 20,000 MT Barley

The Staple Food Department at Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has contracted to buy 120,000 metric tons of wheat and 20,000 tons of barley for June shipment in a tender, a department official said Friday.

Of the wheat it bought, 60,000 tons were of U.S. origin. The breakdown comprises 6,000 tons of high-protein wheat, 20,000 tons of hard red winter wheat and 34,000 tons of dark northern spring wheat, the official said.

The department also bought 20,000 tons of Canadian western red spring wheat and 40,000 tons of Australian standard wheat.

It bought 20,000 tons of Australian food barley.

The department will announce the date of the next tender next Thursday.