- Firm Import Demand: Tunisia’s ODC returned to the market and secured 27,000 tonnes of feed corn at $267.09/tonne C&F after a failed tender, signaling steady North African demand.
- Competitive Origins: “Any origin” terms and staggered delivery windows increase competition between Black Sea, Western European, and Americas suppliers for Tunisia’s nearby demand.
- Price Rebound: The new purchase price is about $10/tonne above the previously rejected bid, hinting at tightening nearby supply or stronger buying urgency.
Tunisia Feed Corn Tender Overview
Tunisia’s state grain agency (ODC) concluded an international tender on April 22, purchasing approximately 27,000 tonnes of feed corn from trader Ameropa at $267.09 per tonne C&F. The cargo will be supplied in a single shipment, with delivery timing adjusted according to the origin region.
This follows a failed tender on April 17, when ODC sought 25,000 tonnes of feed corn for May delivery. In that earlier tender, Ameropa submitted the lowest offer at $256.99 per tonne C&F, but the bid was rejected for not meeting the tender’s conditions, resulting in no purchase.
Pricing and Volume Summary
| Tender Date | Seller | Volume (tonnes) | Price (C&F, $/tonne) | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 17 | Ameropa (lowest offer) | 25,000 (sought) | $256.99 | Rejected – non-compliant |
| April 22 | Ameropa | 27,000 (purchased) | $267.09 | Contract awarded |
| Implied Price Difference | ≈ $10.10/tonne above prior rejected offer | |||
Delivery Windows by Origin
| Origin Region | Indicative Countries | Delivery Window |
|---|---|---|
| Americas | U.S., Brazil, Argentina | May 5–20 |
| Western Europe | EU Western ports | May 10–25 |
| Black Sea / Eastern Europe / Mediterranean | Black Sea, Eastern EU, Med suppliers | May 15–30 |
The tender was specified on an “any origin” basis, with differentiated delivery windows to accommodate varying sailing times from the Americas, Western Europe, and Black Sea/Eastern Europe/Mediterranean regions.
Market Impact and Regional Implications
The decision to accept $267.09/tonne after previously rejecting a lower $256.99/tonne offer underscores firm nearby demand from North Africa and a willingness to pay more to secure supply. This points to tighter availability or increased urgency for May arrivals.
For Black Sea suppliers, the May 15–30 delivery window remains competitive, but the “any origin” clause heightens rivalry with South American and U.S. exporters. Overall, the outcome is neutral to slightly bearish for Black Sea basis levels, as Tunisia appears focused on price and logistics flexibility rather than origin preference, forcing regional exporters to sharpen offers to win business.
Source: Market Data
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