Australia hit back at Russia after the latter imposed a one-year food ban on a number of Western countries in retaliation for economic sanctions levied on Moscow by the United States and the European Union.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said it was "disappointing" Russia had chosen to impose the restrictions instead of taking decisive measures to stop supplying artillery to separatists in Ukraine, noting the missile that led to the crash of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.

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Labor Leader Bill Shorten blasted Russian President Vladimir Putin for the sanctions. He said the sanctions were "repulsive" and made him "feel sick in the guts."

"Who does this president of Russia think he is to put sanctions on our country?" he asked, claiming that the airline crash was not of Canberra's making and that Moscow did not have any moral authority to impose the restrictions after everything that happened.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott slammed Russia for the sanctions and accused the latter of bullying Ukraine. He warned that while Australia had not joined other nations in imposing a second set of sanctions on Moscow, it may do so now. He urged Russia to stay out of Ukrainian affairs.

Australian Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce told ABC on Friday the Russian sanctions will likely hurt the agricultural sector but the government would strive to minimize such effects to its farmers.

Russia is Australia's 31^st biggest trade partner and accounts for agricultural exports of more than US$370 million a year, according to a Voice of America report.

To minimize the ban's impact on its rural sector, the Australian government is reportedly looking at alternative markets in Asia.

Abbott said the free trade deals with Japan and South Korea and ongoing negotiations with China would help soften the blow on farmers.

A possible food security deal that would allow for increased export of Australian meat to Jakarta also seem to be in the works after Joyce spoke with Indonesian officials on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Russian Agriculture Minister Nikolai Fyodorov said Moscow intends to replace Australian produce with meat from Brazil and cheese from New Zealand, according to Reuters.

TagsRussian sanctions, Australia, EU, US, MH17, Bill Shorten, Julie Bishop, Ukraine crisis, Tony Abbott, Barnaby Joyce, Nikolai Fyodorov, Cattle industry, food ban