DUBAI  - Saudi Arabia’s main state grain buying agency, the Saudi Grains Organisation (SAGO), said on Monday it has purchased around 540,000 tonnes of animal feed barely in an international tender.

The barley had been sought from global suppliers for arrival in Saudi Arabia during November and December.

The barley was bought at an average price of $225.34 a tonne c&f, SAGO said.

The origins offered were the European Union, Australia, the Black Sea region, North America (excluding Canada) and South America, with the seller having the option of selecting the source country, SAGO Governor Ahmad Al Fares said.

SAGO said these purchases were made with prices in dollars per tonne on a cost and freight (C&F) basis.

Below are details of the volumes, sellers and delivery periods:

Red Sea ports (C&F): - 60,000 tonnes from Holbud Limited at $228.40 C&F (Nov. 15-30) - 60,000 tonnes from Holbud Limited at $229.40 C&F (Nov. 15-30) - 60,000 tonnes from LLC Trade House RIF at $220.00 C&F (Dec. 1-15) - 60,000 tonnes from Aston at $226.00 C&F (Dec. 1-15) - 60,000 tonnes from Lecureur at $224.00 C&F (Dec. 15-31) - 60,000 tonnes from Glencore at $227.79 C&F (Dec. 15-31) - 60,000 tonnes from Glencore at $228.79 C&F (Dec. 15-31)

Gulf Ports (C&F): - 60,000 tonnes from CBH Grain at $223.90 C&F (Nov. 15-30) - 60,000 tonnes from CBH Grain at $219.75 C&F (Nov. 15-31)

Traders said they expected a large part of the purchase to be sourced from the Black Sea region and possibly the European Union.

In its last reported barley tender on July 20, SAGO bought 725,000 tonnes at an average price of $211.43 per tonne c&f.

(Reporting by Maha El Dahan and Michael Hogan; editing by Jason Neely) ((michael.j.hogan@thomsonreuters.com; +49 172 671 36 54; Reuters Messaging: michael.hogan.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))