PARIS - Algeria bought a total of 480,000 tonnes of milling wheat in a tender last week, more than initially estimated, European traders said on Tuesday.

Algeria, which does not publish details of its tenders, was initially thought to have purchased 360,000 tonnes of wheat in the tender that closed on Thursday.

The higher volume of 480,000 tonnes was based on five trading firms making sales, compared with three sellers initially reported.

The previously reported price range of $217-$217.50 a tonne, cost and freight (C&F) included, was maintained by some traders, although others cited in addition a lower price of $216.

The tender sought wheat of optional origin for shipment in August. France, Algeria's main supplier, was expected to face competition to fill the order from Baltic and Romanian wheat, traders said.

(Reporting by Valerie Parent, writing by Gus Trompiz Editing by Bate Felix) ((gus.trompiz@thomsonreuters.com; +33 1 49 49 52 18; Reuters Messaging: gus.trompiz.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))