European traders said on Sunday that Algeria’s state grains agency OAIC had issued an international tender to buy soft milling wheat for shipment to only two ports.
Traders said the tender sought a nominal quantity of 50,000 tonnes, but the shipment to only two ports generally suggests a small purchase is planned.
The deadline for submitting bids for the tender is Tuesday, July 9, and bids will remain valid until the following day.
Wheat is required for shipment at several intervals from major supply areas, including Europe, South America and Australia.
Algeria is an important buyer of wheat from the European Union, especially France.
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune announced that Algeria’s achievement of complete self-sufficiency in durum wheat production is within reach, after producing 80% of its annual needs during this season.
He explained that the abundant production of durum wheat in the current season allowed for saving $1.2 billion for the state treasury.
Tebboune stressed that achieving the strategic goal will be through expanding the cultivated area in the Great South to 500 thousand hectares, including Qatari investment mainly across an area of 117 thousand hectares in southern Algeria, and Italian investment in 36 thousand hectares, in addition to national investments in 120 thousand hectares.
Data indicates that Algeria imported $2.7 billion worth of goods in 2022, while the country produces 3 million tons of this major commodity.
