Iraq issues tender to buy at least 30,000 tonnes rice - trade

HAMBURG- Iraq's state grains buyer has issued an international tender to buy at least 30,000 tonnes of rice, European traders said on Wednesday.

The closing date for the tender is Feb. 3.

Price offers must remain valid up to Feb. 10, they said.

The rice can be sourced from any origin worldwide.

No international rice tenders from Iraq were reported in 2020.

The Middle Eastern country last year said it planned to buy U.S. rice under an agreement with the United States. 

But Iraq’s purchases from its own rice farmers for the 2020-2021 season have declined, a statement by the Iraqi trade ministry said on Tuesday. 

(Reporting by Michael Hogan, editing by Louise Heavens) ((michael.j.hogan@thomsonreuters.com; +49 172 671 36 54; Reuters Messaging: michael.hogan.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))