The ministry had sought 120,000 tonnes of feed wheat and 200,000 tonnes of feed barley to be loaded by Feb. 8, 2019 and arrive in Japan by March 7 in the tender that is usually conducted weekly.

It is seeking the same amounts for each grain to be loaded and shipped during the same period in a similar tender that will be held on December 12.

Japan buys and sells its feed wheat and barley via so-called SBS auctions, in which end-users and importers specify the origin, price and quantity of grain, allowing millers to meet their varied needs for the feed grain.