Iraq's state grains board on Thursday purchased 80,000 tonnes of rice to be sourced from Thailand in a tender for 30,000 tonnes, European traders said. Volumes in Iraq's grain tenders are regarded as nominal and the country frequently buys much more than it tenders for. Price was said to be $568 c&f a tonne liner out, which includes extra provisions for the cost of ship unloading. The tender had closed on December 23, and offers had to remain valid until December 27. Iraq had sought rice from the United States, Uruguay, Thailand and Argentina.

Copyright Reuters, 2012