HAMBURG, April 25 (Reuters) - Algeria's state grains

agency OAIC is believed to have purchased durum wheat in an

international tender which closed on Wednesday, European traders

said on Thursday.

The precise volume bought was unclear, but trader estimates

were mainly about 200,000 metric tons.

Price estimates were around $395 to $398 a ton cost and

freight (c&f) included for larger Panamax shipments and around

$405 to $410 a ton c&f for smaller Handymax shipments.

A major part of the purchase was said to involve

Mexican-origin durum.

The tender had sought a nominal 50,000 tons for shipment in

two periods: June 1-15 and June 16-30.

Algeria does not disclose the results of its tenders and

results reported are based on trader assessments. More detailed

estimates of prices and volume are still possible later.

In its last reported durum tender on March 20, Algeria was

believed to have bought between 100,000 to 200,000 tons at

between $390 and $395 a ton c&f for April shipment.

Durum importers have faced tighter world supplies after a

drought in top supplier Canada, but Turkey has helped to fill

the gap with more exports.

(Reporting by Michael Hogan, editing by Emelia

Sithole-Matarise)