The state-run Grain Board of Iraq has issued a new tender to buy at least 30,000 MT of rice with the closing date for receiving bids at 0900 GMT on March 1. The board however usually buys much more than the amount announced in its tenders.

Lack of budget allocations has prevented Iraq from purchasing rice from its first rice tender this year.

Iraq needs to buy at least 1.5 million MT of rice annually.