RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA — Saudi Arabia’s main state wheat buying agency, the Saudi Grains Organization (SAGO), on June 27 issued an international tender to purchase 715,000 tonnes of wheat, Reuters reported.

A tender document seen by Reuters said the tender deadline is Friday, June 28.

Hard wheat with 12.5% protein content was being sought from global suppliers for arrival in Saudi Arabia over the September to November period.

Some 420,000 tonnes of the total is sought for arrival in Jeddah between Sept. 1 and Oct. 30; 240,000 tonnes in Dammam between Sept. 20 and Nov. 10 while another 55,000 tonnes is sought for arrival in Jizan between Sept. 1-10, according to Reuters.

SAGO is one of the world’s largest wheat and barley buyers. Saudi Arabia has been a major wheat importer since 2008 when it abandoned its plans for self-sufficiency.