Russia-Surge in domestic meat prices.

RUSSIA-JUMP IN MEAT PRICES.

Average retail prices for meat and poultry in Russia

increased by more than 23 percent in 2008 while the increase in overall food

prices jumped nearly 18 percent, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture

attache report posted Wednesday on the Foreign Agricultural Services Web site.

Meat market analysts expect this trend to continue in 2009 as the Russian

government continues to take protectionist measures to limit imports of meat and poultry.