Egypt's Sugar and Integrated Industries Company (SIIC) is seeking to buy 80,000 tonnes of raw sugar for shipment in January or February on a C&F basis, a buying official from the firm said on Monday. SIIC, Egypt's state-run sugar company, would announce the prices it was looking for on Tuesday, the official added.

"We are looking to buy 80,000 tonnes of raw sugar...The prices we want will be announced tomorrow," the official told Reuters.

The deadline for offers was November 7, the official said, adding that SIIC's preference was for Brazilian sugar.

Traders said on Wednesday that Egypt will tender to buy 80,000 tonnes of raw sugar in two equal tranches of 40,000 tonnes for January-February shipment with bids to be submitted by November 1.

Copyright Reuters, 2005