Initial assessments by traders indicated that the lowest price offered in the first round tender of the 'Turkey state grain board TMO for the purchase and import of 255,000 metric tons of animal feed barley was $266.20 per ton, cost and freight included.

They said that no purchase had yet been reported, but provisional results would be expected on Wednesday. TMOs traditionally negotiate in several rounds for tenders, seeking lower offers at each stage.

Trading house Aston was reported to have made the lowest bid for a consignment of 25,000 tons to be shipped to?Bandirma.

Barley is needed for shipment to Turkish ports between February 23rd and March 23rd. The barley that has already been imported into Turkey and is stored in customs bonded?warehouses may be offered, but domestic supplies cannot.

Aston also made a low offer of $271.20 per ton for 25,000 tonnes. The lowest offer from Sibirya for delivery to Giresun is $277.50 per ton, ex-warehouse.

Aston also reported the lowest offer for shipment to Iskenderun at $270.20 per?ton, c&f?for 25,000 tons. Aston reported the lowest offer for shipment to Izmir at $271.20 per ton c&f?for 25,000 tonnes.

Ipek made the lowest offer of $277.80 per ton ex-warehouse, for 20,000 tonnes. Solaris offered the lowest price for delivery to Tekirdag at $274.60 per ton, c&f for 10,000 tons.

The reports reflect the assessments of?traders. Further estimates on prices and volume are possible in the future. The disappointing harvest in Turkey of 'barley and other grain last year led to the need for imports, according to traders.

In a January 15th tender, the Turkish government also purchased about 210,000 tonnes of barley.

(source: Reuters)