NORTHFIELD, ILL. — Kraft Foods Inc. has opened a new $50 million biscuit plant in Russia in the city of Sobinka. The facility will employ 600 and manufacture Bolshevic brand biscuits among others.

The company called development of the Russian market a priority and noted it has invested more than $600 million in the Russian economy during the past 15 years.

Last week the company announced plans to build a new Biscuit Research and Development Center just outside of Paris in Saclay. It will represent an investment of €15 million ($20 million), and is scheduled to open during the first half of 2011.