PARIS/HAMBURG  - Algeria’s state grains agency OAIC bought about 420,000 to 600,000 tonnes of milling wheat in a tender which closed on Tuesday, European traders said on Wednesday.

It was bought at about $211 a tonne c&f, traders said. Some traders put the price at $211-$213 a tonne.

The wheat can be sourced from optional origins but traders suspected the grain may well be sourced in France and the Baltic Sea region.

Algeria does not disclose the results of its tenders and purchase reports are based on trade assessments.

The wheat was sought for shipment in two periods, Nov. 1.-15 and Nov. 16-30. This surprised some traders as the OAIC had skipped over the October shipment period.

In its last reported tender on July 31, Algeria purchased about 570,000 tonnes of milling wheat for shipment in September.

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