SOVIET FOOD SHORTAGES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80R01443R000300280004-6
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 17, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 24, 1998
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: March 23, 1955
• Content Type: BRIEF

Approved0Sr I6MG1000/08/3 R04~4666368290004-6
I. As follow-up?;to recent discussion Soviet
agriculture, we have received report on
present meat, sugar and bread situation
in several areas of USSR.
A. In western Ukraine (Kiev, Kishinev),
meat about same as last year - little
in State Stores, but adequate supplies
at reasonable prices in free market.
B. In contrast, Moscow's meat is short in
State Stores, higher prices than last
year in free market.
C. Facts fit picture: last year's Ukraine
drought means more slaughtering there,
more meat in market. Moscow's meat,
however, comes from Upper Volga, where
demand for more breeding means fewer
animals to market.
II. Sugar is reported quite short in Odessa,
Kiev; somewhat short in Moscow.
Approved For Release 2000/08/30 : CIA-RDP80R01443R000300280004-6
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crop was down 7% (200)000 MT) from '53.
B. Also, Satellites, who sent USSR half-
million MT of sugar in '53, had poorer
'54 sugar crop.
C. Sugar shortage apparently putting USSR
on world market for sugar: recent deal
with Cuba, calls for sale 200,000 MT to
USSR by mid-'S5.
III.Bread supply in Odessa., Kiev, reported good.
This also fits picture.
A. Neither city in area worst hit by
Ukraine drought.
B. Even with drought, '54 grain production
in USSR was some 5% better than '53
.
C. However, we may soon see local food
shortages, including bread, in parts
of Ukraine worst hit by drought.
Approved For Release 2000/08/30 : C1i-RDP80RO1443R000300280004-6