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

The tender deadline is March 3.

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

Jordan bought 60,000 tonnes in its last wheat tender on Tuesday in which five trading houses took part.

Jordan also bought 60,000 tonnes of animal feed barley in a tender on Wednesday, when ten trading houses submitted offers.

The new tender on Thursday seeks hard wheat for shipment in a range of possible combinations in 60,000 tonne consignments. The possible shipment periods are between Sept. 16-30, Oct. 1-15, Oct. 16-31 and Nov. 1-15.

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