Egypt’s GASC announces new wheat tender as zero ergot policy reversed

Egypt’s state grain importer GASC set a tender on Wednesday to buy an unspecified amount of wheat, few hours after the country announced it reversed its controversial zero-tolerance policy on the common grains fungus ergot.

Egyptian government announced Wednesday that it cancelled its controversial zero-tolerance policy on the common grains fungus ergot, backtracking on an import regulation that had all but blocked its access to global wheat.

The date of delivery of grain from 21 to 31 October 2016, according to GASC’s statement.

Ahmed Youssef, vice chairman of GASC, said the authority is seeking to buy cargoes of soft and/or milling wheat from the United States, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Poland, Argentina, Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Romania, and Bulgaria.

Tenders should reach GASC by noon local time (10:00 GMT) on Thursday. The results should come out after 3:30 p.m. on the same day. Wheat bids should be free-on-board, with a separate freight offer.

Ergot is a common grains fungus that can cause hallucinations when consumed in large amounts but which is considered harmless in low quantities. Most countries permit shipments with up to 0.05 percent.