Despite a steady domestic performance, Czech Republic-based food processor Hamé reported a 2% year-on-year (y-o-y) H109 (January-June 2009) sales contraction, to CZK2.34bn (EUR91.9mn). A leading durable foods producer, Hamé was weighed down by the inability of many of its suppliers, particularly in Russia and Ukraine, to meet payment deadlines, which has forced the firm to impose stricter parameters. With the economies of most Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries still delicately poised (indeed, Ukraine's GDP is forecast to slide by close to 15% in 2009), rising tensions between suppliers and retailers (which is one of BMI's core F&D short-term views),