Algeria's state grain authority OAIC?issued a?international tender?to purchase?wheat with a?deadline for offers of Monday, European traders reported on Saturday.

OAIC's import tenders usually require a much higher volume than 50,000 metric tonnes, traders said. The traders said that if the wheat is purchased from a major supply zone in Algeria, such as Europe, then shipment must be made by?March.

Algeria is the largest wheat importer in the world. The country has switched in recent years to cheaper Black Sea origins like Russian wheat from French wheat. This trend is amplified by the diplomatic tensions between Paris and Algiers which have brought French Wheat?sales into Algeria to a stop since last year. (Reporting and editing by John Irish; reporting by Gus Trompix)

(source: Reuters)