PARIS/HAMBURG: Traders bought up to seven shipments of French wheat aimed for Pakistan as part of a 300,000 tonne tender last week, European traders said on Tuesday, in a further sign that importing countries are turning to western Europe to fill a gap left by missing Black Sea grain.
A severe drought in Pakistan and the impact of higher fertiliser prices have led the country to make large purchases on the world market where supplies have tightened since Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"It looks like most Pakistan sales made earlier last week are being covered from France, whereas it would have been a typical Black Sea business under normal circumstances but France looks competitive now," a trader said.
The Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP) in its international tender last week is reported to have bought 240,000 tonnes from trading house Viterra and 60,000 tonnes from Aston, all at $404.86 c&f free out. Shipment was sought between Aug. 1-25.
China also made a large purchase of French wheat last week, with latest trade estimates putting the volume at between seven and 10 shipments.
"This is another confirmation of France’s good export prospects as the war in Ukraine continues to make Black Sea exports difficult," a second trader said.
Traders, however, said it still could not be ruled out that some Russian wheat could be supplied in the tenders.
"As the purchases are optional origin, you can never make an absolutely categorical statement on this matter," a third trader said.
TCP is tendering again this week to purchase an additional 200,000 tonnes of wheat for shipment between Sept. 1-16.
The lowest offer in the tender which closed on Monday was believed to be $407.49 a tonne c&f, European traders said in initial assessments on Tuesday.
TCP is undertaking its usual policy of asking more trading houses participating in this week's tender to match the lowest price offered, traders said. This could take until Thursday when the Pakistani government will be asked to approve the purchase.
Traders turn to French wheat aimed for Pakistan as Black Sea supplies tighten
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Traders turn to French wheat aimed for Pakistan as Black Sea supplies tighten
- A severe drought in Pakistan and the impact of higher fertiliser prices have led the country to make large purchases
- Traders said it still could not be ruled out that some Russian wheat could be supplied in the tenders
Pakistani special aircraft carrying 100 tons of relief supplies for Gaza arrives in Egypt
- Relief consignment contains tents, tarpaulin sheets and jerry cans, says state media
- Israel has killed over 69,000 Palestinians in Gaza in its war that began in October 2023
Islamabad: A special chartered aircraft from Pakistan carrying 100 tons of humanitarian and relief supplies for the people of Gaza landed at the El Arish International Airport in Egypt on Tuesday, Pakistani state media reported.
The aircraft was dispatched by Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), in collaboration with local charity organization Al-Khidmat Foundation, from the eastern city of Lahore on Tuesday.
“The relief consignment includes non-food items consisting much-needed tents, tarpaulin sheets and jerry cans,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.
The aid supplies were handed over to the Egyptian Red Crescent Society to be dispatched onwards to the people of Gaza.
“The Government and people of Pakistan are profoundly thankful to the Egyptian government under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and Egyptian Red Crescent Society for facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance from the Government and people of Pakistan for the Palestinian brethren,” Radio Pakistan added.
“More humanitarian and relief consignments are on their way and will be delivered to the brotherly people of Gaza during coming weeks,” the state media said.
Pakistan has sent relief items for Palestinians since Israel’s war on Gaza began in October 2023. At least 69,000 Palestinians were killed in Gaza during the almost two years of war that began in October 2023.
Israeli forces bombed schools, hospitals and educational institutions during the war, killing a large number of women and children.
Israel also blocked humanitarian and relief supplies from reaching Gaza, causing hunger and diseases to spread across the densely populated territory before a fragile ceasefire was brokered by the US this year.
