HAMBURG/PARIS - Algeria’s state grains agency OAIC has purchased a small volume of optional-origin milling wheat in an international tender which closed on Thursday which sought shipment to two ports only, European traders said on Friday.

Estimates of volumes bought were around 30,000 tonnes and price was put at around $288 a tonne c&f. More details are possible later.

The tender sought a nominal 50,000 tonnes to shipment to two ports only: Mostaganem and/or Tenes. The shipment requirement to these two relatively small ports meant only a limited purchase was expected by traders in the tender.

The wheat was sought for shipment in three periods from the main supply regions including Europe: Aug. 1-10, Aug. 11-20 and Aug. 21-31. If sourced from South America or Australia, shipment is between July 1-10, July 11-20 and July 21-31.

(Reporting by Michael Hogan in Hamburg and Gus Trompiz in Paris ) ((michael.j.hogan@thomsonreuters.com; +49 172 671 36 54; Reuters Messaging: michael.hogan.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))