HAMBURG: Iran's state purchasing agency the Government Trading Corporation of Iran (GTC) is tendering to buy 60,000 tonnes of Brazilian raw cane sugar in another sign that the country aims to boost stocks, European traders said on Thursday.

Last week, trade sources said private importers in Iran had bought up to 250,000 tonnes of Brazilian raw sugar in the first purchases for months.

Traders said the GTC tender was for April 15-May 15 shipment and would close on March 14. Delivery was to Bandar Imam Khomeini or Bandar Abbas ports - two of the country's major cargo terminals.

"This is the first we have seen from state buyer GTC this year and they appear to be boosting stocks," one trade source said.

Traders said before last week's purchases the last time Iranian buyers tapped the international market was in the third quarter of last year.-Reuters