Iraq to issue wheat, rice tenders for 2011

Iraq's grain board will start issuing tenders to cover its wheat and rice import needs for 2011 in the second half of October, the newly reinstalled head of the board said on Wednesday.

Iraq is one of the world's largest importers of wheat and rice, most of which is used to supply a public food ration programme.

'These tenders will cover our needs in February, March and April, as January is already covered,' said Muthanna Jabbar, director general of the Iraqi grains trading company. Jabbar was recently reinstalled in the position.

The grain board's previous director general said it had not been affected by Russia's drought and export ban on wheat. However, Jabbar said the crisis in Russia had had an impact on global prices for wheat and that might affect Iraq's future purchases.

'Iraq was not affected by the (shortage in) quantities but yes was affected by the price issue as a result of Russia's withdrawal from the global wheat market,' said Jabbar.

Jabbar said the government was considering an Iranian offer to supply Iraq with 1 million tonnes of wheat.
 

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