August 7, 2006

India extends shipment dates for wheat imports

India on Friday (Aug 4) extended the deadline for import of first shipment of 500,000 tonnes of wheat to the end of February next year from its initial deadline of 31 Aug this year.  

The government had in February this year allowed duty-free import of 50,000 tonnes of wheat from Australia's AWB.

The entire quantity from this tender was to have been imported by Aug 31. Although 92,000 tonnes had been sent in April and May, other shipments were delayed over quality issues.

In a notification, The Directorate General of Foreign Trade said it had extended the date to allow more time for AWB to finish the contracted supplies.

STC has since floated three more tenders for import of an additional 3.4 million  tonnes. AWB and Agrico were awarded the second tender of 800,000 tonnes of wheat, while the third tender of 2.2 million tonnes was awarded to five companies.

Eight companies have submitted bids for STC's latest tender for import of 400,000 tonnes of wheat.