A Syrian state grains agency has issued an international tender to purchase 200,000 tonnes of soft wheat for bread making sourced from Russia only. The deadline for offer submissions in the tender from Syria's General Establishment for Cereal Processing, Storage and Trade is March 23. A new tender had been expected after the Syrian agency was reported to have made no purchase in previous tenders each for 200,000 tonnes wheat which closed on Feb. 17, Jan. 20 and Dec. 18. Shipment in the new tender is again sought 60 calendar days after confirmation that the order has been placed. Syria's wheat and barley crops in 2019 improved because of favourable rainfall and better overall security but were still around 50% below harvest sizes before conflict broke out in the country.