On 5000 T hard wheat tender, Iraq delays its decision

European traders said on Thursday that Iraq's state grains board has delayed a decision on whether to buy at least 50,000 tons of hard wheat in an international tender until Sunday.
The tender closed on Sunday and offers originally had to remain valid up to Thursday, Feb. 19, traders said.
No purchase had yet been made, they said. Australian wheat was offered lowest in the tender at $279.70 a ton c&f free out (ciffo).
The tender sought hard wheat from the United States, Canada, Australia and Russia only for shipment on March 1 to March 30 with delivery to Iraq between March 31 and May 14. Volumes in Iraq's wheat tenders are nominal and the country frequently buys more than it tenders for.
In its last reported wheat tender on Dec. 29, Iraq's state grains board purchased 200,000 tons of hard wheat to be sourced from Canada, the United States and Australia after also seeking offers for at least 50,000 tons.