1.   A larger-than-expected harvest could mean China will need to import less grain this year, including wheat.

2.   Economists expect China to loosen price controls on grain this year, adding several percentage points to the benchmark inflation rate.

3.   Russia will not import foreign grain this year, despite a severe summer drought that has damaged one-third of its crop, officials said Wednesday.

4.   Russia will have enough food grain this year, though the harvest will be painfully low because of drought and forest fires, Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin said Saturday.

5.   Russian officials have said previously that the country did not foresee the need to import grain this year.

6.   Neighbouring Kenya has also said it would import large quantities of grain this year to offset serious food shortages caused by drought in eastern Africa.