PARIS: Bangladesh's state grains buyer has issued a new international tender to purchase 50,000 tonnes of wheat, European traders said on Wednesday.
Tender closing date is Feb. 28, they said.
The grain can be supplied from any worldwide origin except Israel.
"This is the third tender issued by Bangladesh so far in 2019 and I think it confirms the large import requirement in the country," one European trader said.
A report from the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in December 2018, estimated Bangladesh's wheat import requirements in the current 2018/19 season at a record of around 6 million tonnes, 34 percent above the previous five-year average.
The strong demand for wheat reflects a shift in consumers' diet preferences towards bread as well as the increased use of wheat as a substitute for more expensive rice, the FAO said.
In the previous two tenders, Bangladesh was on Feb. 4 reported to have rejected offers and made no purchase of the 50,000 tonnes sought. Offers in another tender, also for 50,000 tonnes, which closed on Feb. 10 are still being considered.
"Pakistan is tendering to sell and export 250,000 tonnes of wheat on Feb. 18 which may mean Bangladesh is expecting some cheap supplies to enter the market," the trader added.
The new tender closing on Feb. 28 seeks wheat with 12.5 percent protein content for shipment 40 days after contract signing.
Offers should again be for c&f liner out terms which includes provisions for ship unloading. Offers were sought for shipment to the ports of Chittagong and Mongla.
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.