January 29, 2004

Egypt To Buy 50,000-60,000 MT Wheat

Egypt's main wheat buyer, the General Authority for Supply Commodities, or GASC, said Thursday it was seeking offers on 50,000 to 60,000 metric tons of optional-origin wheat for March 1-10 shipment on a free-on-board basis.

Offers are being sought for U.S. soft red winter, hard red winter, soft white wheat, Canadian soft or hard wheat, French milling wheat, Australian standard white and/or hard wheat, Nomani Nomani, GASC's general manager, said.

The deadline for offers is 1000 GMT, he said.

GASC usually issues results of its tender around 1300 GMT on the day of its tender.

GASC issued the tender late Wednesday, and a trader involved in the tender said that the shipment period was March 1-15.

GASC last purchased wheat through the tender process Jan. 24, securing 240,000 tons of U.S. and Australian wheat.

Egypt is forecast to import 6.5 million tons of wheat during the 2003-04 marketing year, according to the latest report from the International Grains Council.