EGYPT – Egypt’s state grains buyer the General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC) on Thursday, December 14, set a tender to import natural white wholly milled short-grain rice from India.
GASC, on behalf of Egypt’s Holding Company for Food Industries, sought the arrival of the rice from Feb. 1-19 and/or Feb. 20-March 10.
It added that the rice should be of a 10% breakage rate packed in 50-kilo containers and from the 2023/2024 crop.
According to the statement, price offers should be made on a cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) basis in U.S. dollars or Egyptian pounds, and for payment at sight and in 180- and 270-day suppliers’ facilities,
“Prices will be compared in a way that serves the authority’s interest and the priority in confirmation will be given to offers submitted in Egyptian pounds,” GASC added.
The GASC noted that the delivery should be for warehouses specified by Egypt’s Holding Company For Food Industries.
Customs clearance, unloading, and transportation expenses would be paid per ton in Egyptian pounds, including value-added tax.
Bids must be accompanied by an initial deposit of US$75,000, or its equivalent in Egyptian pounds if prices are submitted in the local currency, with a letter of guarantee for GASC.
GASC added that minimum offers should be of 20,000 metric tons +/- 10% at the supplier’s request.
The deadline for offers is Dec. 21 and they should be accompanied by three samples, of two kilograms each, GASC said.
The announcement comes after the country on December 7, said that it had made a contract to buy 420,000 metric tons (MT) of wheat from Russia via tender.
The deal is part of GASC’s strategy to enhance its stock of basic commodities.
The first wheat shipment, 210,000 metric tons is set to arrive during the period from January 10 to 20, while the second batch of 210,000 metric tons is due during the period from January 21 to 31, GASC said in a statement.
This followed a recent report from the Foreign Agricultural Service of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) indicating that Egypt’s wheat ending stocks in marketing year 2023-24 are forecast to drop to their lowest level in 20 years as the country grapples with a smaller crop.
In addition, the year-on-year decline in wheat production is due to the area harvested decreasing to 1.35 million hectares compared to 1.45 million in 2022-23, the FAS said.
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