Japan Buys 98,552 Tons of U.S., Canadian Wheat in Tender

Japan bought 98,552 metric tons of milling wheat from the U.S. and Canada in a regular tender today, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Shipment is set from April 1 to April 30, Toshiki Tojo at the ministry’s grain-trade division said by phone. It was the largest purchase since Jan. 27, when the government bought 150,191 tons.

The ministry, which controls overseas purchases and domestic sales of wheat to stabilize supply, is Asia’s largest buyer as a single entity. It has bought 4.15 million tons through regular tenders this fiscal year, compared with 5.16 million tons in the year ended March 31. Details of this week’s tender are listed below:

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Wheat Exporter      Grade                       Metric Tons
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U.S.                Western White                 22,810
                    Hard Red Winter               33,897
Canada              Western Red Spring            41,845
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To contact the reporter on this story: Aya Takada in Tokyo at atakada2@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Richard Dobson at rdobson4@bloomberg.net