Some experts believe the drop is due to the problem of increased wage arrears, which they argue is decreasing demand. July inflation was at 0.7 percent. Land costs in the Moscow area varies, depending on how far plots are from the Moscow ring-road. Land plots available for sell are usually small and do not include agricultural land. Because it has a customs union with Russia, Belarus is not included in the figures.
Experts expect Russian sugar imports to remain high.
Minimum annual Russian demand is 5 million-5.5 million tons, but the country only has the capacity to produce 4 million tons annually. Currently, Russia is producing only 2.5 million tons. Trendafilov said that he would assume the responsibility for ensuring the bread supply of Sofia and some mountainous regions but that other regions would be responsible for their own supplies. He claimed there are large amounts of grain in private bakeries and households for regions to purchase. Trendafilov said the government wanted to import more grain but needed credits, because the government did not want to further strain the balance of payments.