ISLAMABAD ( 2008-11-18 15:13:48 ) :The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) is likely to issue a tender this week to import 500,000 tonnes of white wheat, a Food Ministry official said on Tuesday.

"The ministry is to send the approval to TCP for importing 500,000 tones of soft white wheat today or tomorrow and the tender will likely be issued this week," the official, who requested anonymity, said.

In May, Pakistan announced plans to import 2.5 million tonnes of wheat this year for stocks after the 2007/08 crop fell to 21.8 million tonnes, short of a target of 24 million.

The import target was later increased to 3.5 million tonnes.

Pakistan has so far contracted to buy or has bought 1.7 million tonnes.

The government last week removed a bar on the private sector importing wheat, and an official said permission would probably be given for up to 500,000 tonnes.

"We don't want a glut of wheat as we are expecting a good crop this year, the government is also importing wheat and we are also expected to receive wheat from the United States," he said.

A Food Ministry official told Reuters earlier this month that Pakistan was expected to get white wheat worth $200 million from the United States on deferred payments, for which negotiations had been completed, but the government has yet to receive any official communication.

Pakistan has set a target of 25 million tonnes of wheat for the 2008-09 crop.



Copyright Reuters, 2008