European traders reported on Wednesday that the Algerian state agency OAIC reportedly 'purchased' around 200,000 tonnes of?animal-feed barley in an international auction on Tuesday.

The traders had reported the purchase Tuesday night but were unable to estimate the tonnage purchased in the tender which was aimed at a nominal 50,000 tonnes.

On Wednesday, traders reported that the purchase was made at a cost of between $267 and $268 per ton c&f. The trader estimates from Tuesday were that the purchase had been made at a cost of?the highest in the high $260s per ton, c&f.

The barley was to be shipped in one shipment from optional origins, between March 1 and 15.

The barley that was purchased was supposed to come from the west EU.

The reports reflect the opinions of traders, and further estimates about prices and volume are possible in the future. Reporting by Michael Hogan from Hamburg, and Gus Trompiz from Paris. Editing by

(source: Reuters)