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Algeria purchases 600,000-700,000 T of wheat at tender, traders report

European traders reported that Algeria's state grain agency OAIC purchased between 600,000 and 700,000 metric tonnes of milling wheat during an international auction which ended on Thursday.

They reported that purchases were between $250.50 and $252 per ton, including cost and freight. In late-night assessments, traders deemed earlier estimates of up to $253 per ton cost and freight (c&f) as being too high.

The volume of the purchase was not known to traders until late evening. The volume of the purchase was estimated to be between 600,000 and 700,000 tons by late evening.

Algerian purchases are optional in terms of origin, but traders originally suspected that low prices would mean Russian wheat was a major source for the purchase. Other Black Sea origins could also be used.

Algeria has not yet announced the results of its tenders for purchase, so traders' assessments are reflected in these reports. However, further estimates on prices and volume may be possible.

Wheat is to be shipped in two phases in 2024, from the main supply areas including Europe: October 1-15 and October 16-31. The shipment date is one month sooner if the wheat comes from South America or Australia.

Algeria is an important customer of wheat imported from the European Union and France in particular, but Russian exporters as well as those from other Black Sea regions have seen a strong expansion on the Algerian market.

Algeria's last wheat tender was on July 18 and it purchased between 700,000 and 750,000 tons for $241-$244 per ton c&f. The July purchase was expected to come from the Black Sea area, which includes Russia, Ukraine, and Bulgaria. (Reporting from Michael Hogan, Hamburg; Gus Trompiz, Paris; Editing by Margueritachoy)

(source: Reuters)