The Egyptian Commodity Supply Authority signed a contract to buy 240,000 tons (217,700 metric tons) of wheat from Russia at prices between U.S. $261.44 (1,561 EGP) and $263.25 (1,572 EGP) per ton. Four international companies won the contract. The wheat shipments are scheduled to arrive between Dec. 12 and Dec. 20. Egyptian Minister of Social Justice, Gouda Abdel Khali, said a committee would examine incoming shipments. The department imports 6 million tons (5.44 million metric tons) of wheat annually.