"Heavy snowfall in recent weeks is likely to boost moisture reserves, which were abnormally low after a dry autumn," Sovecon, one of the leading agriculture consultancies in Moscow.
The tender which closes on Friday, Jan. 22, had previously sought red milling wheat only.
The change could allow wheat from more origins to be offered in the tender at a time when wheat from Turkey's big supplier Russia is more expensive and faces an upcoming export tax.
Moscow is trying to curb domestic food inflation triggered by the COVID-19 crisis by introducing a range of grain export taxes.
Russian wheat with 12.5% protein loading from Black Sea ports for supply before mid-February was at $298 a tonne free on board (FOB) at the end of last week.
Russia's economy minister announced the plans on Friday, in another push to curb a rise in domestic food prices triggered by the COVID-19 crisis.
*"We are communicating with Ukraine to import wheat," said Mosammat Nazmanara Khanum.