DUBAI  - Saudi Arabia’s main state grain buying agency, the Saudi Grains Organisation (SAGO), said on Monday it has purchased 660,000 tonnes of animal feed barley in an international tender.

It was bought at an average price of $279.77 a tonne c&f, SAGO said. The barley was sought from global suppliers for arrival in Saudi Arabia during April and May.

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

SAGO said these purchases were made with prices in dollars per tonne on a cost and freight (C&F) basis, and delivery periods between brackets: Red Sea ports: - 60,000 tonnes from Aston at $279.00 C&F (April 15-30) - 60,000 tonnes from Viterra at $279.27 C&F (April 15-30) - 60,000 tonnes from Viterra at $281.17 C&F (April 15-30) - 60,000 tonnes from Solaris at $276.95 C&F (May 1-15) - 60,000 tonnes from LLC Trade at $277.00 C&F (May 1-15) - 60,000 tonnes from Viterra at $280.24 C&F (May 1-15 May) - 60,000 tonnes from Viterra at $279.12 C&F (May 15-31) - 60,000 tonnes from Holbud at $279.50 C&F (May 15-31)

Gulf ports: - 60,000 tonnes from CBH Grain at $285.70 C&F (April 15-30) - 60,000 tonnes from Holbud at $279.00 C&F (May 15-31) - 60,000 tonnes from CBH Grain at $280.50 C&F (May 15-31)

In its last barley tender on Jan. 25, SAGO bought 660,000 tonnes at an average price of $277.65 a tonne c&f for delivery in March and April. 

But international grain prices have firmed since, after Russia imposed grain export taxes to reduce its overseas shipments and cool domestic prices. 

(Reporting by Maher Chmaytelli in Dubai and Michael Hogan in Hamburg; editing by Louise Heavens and Edmund Blair) ((michael.j.hogan@thomsonreuters.com; +49 172 671 36 54; Reuters Messaging: michael.hogan.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))