MOSCOW WON’T IMPORT GRAIN BUT RUSSIAN FIRMS WILL.

Despiteprojections of a bad harvest in Russia this year, the Russiangovernment will not import any grain from abroad, deputy premierAleksandr Zaverukha told Interfax July 24. Instead, commercialcompanies will make up any shortfalls. But in words that may presagea rise in food prices, Zaverukha added that Moscow will not regulatethe price of imported grain. Meanwhile, Krasnaya zvezda reportedJuly 22, Russian soldiers will be sent into the fields to helpwith the harvest.

Food Prices Up 1 Percent in July.