RIYDAH, SAUDI ARABIA — Saudi Arabi’s state grain buyer SAGO is seeking 595,000 tonnes of wheat, according to Reuters.

It will be the first purchase since SAGO said, “it will relax its insect damage specifications for wheat imports from its next tender onwards, opening the door to Black Sea imports and strengthening ties with Russia.” 

Reuters said Russia has been working toward better access into Saudi Arabia’s wheat market to take on larger portions of the Middle Eastern and North African markets from the E.U. and the United States.

“Of the total, six cargoes are for arrival in Jeddah Port, three in Dammam Port and one in Jizan,” Reuters said.

The deadline for offers is Sept. 6, and results are expected to be announced on Sept. 9.