HAMBURG - Jordan's state grain buyer the trade ministry has issued an international tender to buy 120,000 tonnes of hard milling wheat which can be sourced from optional origins, European traders said on Thursday.

The tender deadline is Feb. 18.

In its last reported wheat tender on Feb. 11, Jordan purchased 60,000 tonnes of hard milling wheat to be sourced from optional origins with three trading houses participating.

Jordan has struggled to buy wheat and barley in the past few months after changed terms for quality specifications and payment reduced participation by international trading houses, although its more recent tenders have been more successful.

Jordan made no purchase in a tender for 120,000 tonnes barley on Wednesday, although 13 trading houses took part, the largest participation for many months. 

The new tender seeks wheat for shipment in a range of possible combinations in 60,000 tonne consignments.

Possible shipment periods are Sept. 1-15, Sept. 16-30, Oct. 1-15 and Oct. 16-31.

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