HAMBURG/PARIS- Algeria’s state grains agency OAIC is believed to have purchased durum wheat in a tender which closed on Wednesday, European traders said on Thursday.

The volume bought was unclear but was thought to be between 180,000 and 240,000 tonnes, traders said in initial assessments.

Traders said two panamax-sized shipments were bought at between $372 and $373 a tonne c&f. Between two and four handymax shipments were believed to have been bought in the high $370s a tonne c&f.

Origins were thought to include Canada, the United States and Mexico.

Algeria does not disclose the results of its tenders and purchase reports are based on trade assessments. Shipment was sought in the tender between April 1-15 and April 16-30.

(Reporting by Michael Hogan and Gus Trompiz) ((michael.j.hogan@thomsonreuters.com; +49 172 671 36 54; Reuters Messaging: michael.hogan.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))