Demand was noted for wheat moving south to Texas mills, with premiums paid for higher protein supplies, but business was otherwise sluggish, grain traders said.
Protein premiums for rail car wheat to and through Kansas City were 1-3 cents higher for 12.00-14.00 percent protein.
Wheat traders continued to await confirmation of significant new sales to Iraq, after the deputy prime minister there said earlier this month that the country would buy 1 million tonnes of US wheat. A senior trade official said Tuesday the deal would be completed on Wednesday.
Kansas City Board of Trade HRW wheat futures were expected to open steady to mixed on Wednesday, supported by the Iraq expectations but subject to spillover pressure from expected declines in corn and soybean futures, traders said. The market closed 2 to 5-1/4 cents higher on Tuesday, with December at $3.70-1/4, up 5 cents, and the March at $3.76-3/4, up 5-1/4 cents.