Price Of Bread Increases In Russia's Far East

PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY, Russia -- The price of bread is rising steeply in parts of Russia's Far East, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.

The price of bread in stores in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the administrative center of Kamchatka Krai, will go up by some 3.5 rubles ($0.11) and make the average price of a loaf of bread 29-31 rubles.

Vadim Povzner, the director of the central bakery in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, said today the increase -- one of the steeper rises registered in Russia -- was necessary due to flour and grain suppliers increasing their prices. He said the heat wave in central Russia this summer destroyed crops and caused a shortage of grain.

He said the bakery had already increased its prices.But Povzner said the price of bread made from the lowest quality of flour will stay at 19 rubles ($0.61).

Vendors say bread prices may increase again before winter.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said last month that 25 percent of Russia's grain crop had been destroyed by the summer drought and the record-breaking heat wave.

Russian officials have imposed a ban on grain exports.