HAMBURG - Bangladesh's state grains buyer has issued an international tender to purchase 50,000 tonnes of rice to be imported by railway, traders said on Thursday.

The deadline for submission of price offers is July 12.

Bangladesh has issued a series of rice tenders in recent months in the face of dwindling supplies and surging prices.

Traditionally the world's third-largest rice producer, Bangladesh has emerged as a big importer because of depleted stocks and record prices after extreme weather damaged crops.

The country also issued a tender this week to purchase 50,000 tonnes of wheat. 

Indian-origin rice would be in the best position to win the tender because of the rail transport requirement, traders said.

The tender seeks price offers, including transport costs, for non-basmati parboiled rice for delivery 50 days from contract award and a letter of credit opening.

(Reporting by Michael Hogan in Hamburg Additional reporting by Ruma Paul in Dhaka Editing by David Goodman ) ((michael.j.hogan@thomsonreuters.com; +49 172 671 36 54; Reuters Messaging: michael.hogan.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))