HAMBURG  - Algeria's state grains agency OAIC has issued an international tender to buy milling wheat to be sourced from optional origins, European traders said on Monday.

The tender sought a nominal 50,000 tonnes, but Algeria often buys considerably more in its tenders than the nominal volume sought.

The tender deadline is Tuesday, May 14, traders said.

Offers must remain valid until Wednesday, May 15.

Shipment is sought in two periods, July 1-15 and July 16-31.

Algeria is a crucial market for European Union wheat, and especially for France.

Algeria remained by far the main export destination for French wheat so far this season with 4.2 million tonnes shipped, figures on May 7 showed. 

In its last reported soft milling wheat tender in early April, Algeria purchased 540,000 tonnes after also seeking offers for 50,000 tonnes. 

Algeria also bought about 200,000 tonnes of durum wheat in late April. 

(Reporting by Michael Hogan, Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips) ((michael.j.hogan@thomsonreuters.com; +49 172 671 36 54; Reuters Messaging: michael.hogan.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))