TOKYO, July 20 (Reuters) - Japan's agriculture ministry said on Friday it had resumed purchases of Canadian wheat after testing showed no imports that reached the country included grain containing a genetically modified trait discovered in Alberta province last summer. Ministry of Agriculture said it was seeking to buy 62,957 tonnes of food-quality wheat from Canada in a regular tender that will close late on Tuesday, July 24. It usually issues tenders on Tuesdays.
Japan, the world's sixth-biggest wheat importer, keeps a tight grip on imports of the country's second-most important staple after rice, and buys the majority of the grain for milling via tenders typically issued thrice a month. Details are as follows (in tonnes):
COUNTRY
TYPE
QUANTITY
Canada
Western Red Spring (13.5%)
23,675
* Canada
Western Red Spring (13.5%)
39,282 ** Shipments:
* Loading between Aug. 11 and Sept. 10, 2018
** Loading between Sept. 1 and Sept. 30, 2018
Source: Ministry of Agriculture