HAMBURG- Turkey's state grain board TMO has issued an international tender to purchase about 320,000 tonnes of milling wheat, European traders said on Monday.

The deadline for submission of price offers is Dec. 21.

Wheat shipment is sought between Feb. 1 and Feb. 28.

Milling wheat of 12.5% and 13.5% protein content is sought in a series of consignments to several Turkish ports.

The grain is for unloading in the Turkish ports of Derince, Iskenderun, Mersin, Izmir, Bandirma, Tekirdag, Samsun and Trabzon.

The tender continues an active period of grain importing by Turkey to cool local prices and secure supplies after a drought-damaged crop.

In its previous reported wheat purchase on Nov. 25, Turkey bought 385,000 tonnes. 

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