Japan: Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture buys 36,080 tonnes of barley falling short of original intention

Japan's Ministry of Agriculture bought 36,080 tonnes of feed barley through the simultaneous buy and sell system, a ministry official was quoted as saying by Reuters on August 20.

All shipments must be made by Nov. 30.

The purchased volume falls short of the previously announced intention to buy 100,000 tonnes of feed barley.

The simultaneous buy and sell scheme allows greater flexibility than ordinary tenders as users and trading firms can negotiate details, such as the grain's origin and price, in advance before placing a bid with the government.

The ministry said last month it would conduct import tenders for wheat and barley for animal feed use about twice a month, instead of once every two months as done previously.

22 August, 2008