Following its own ban on all food imports from the US and all European Union countries, Russia is turning to alternative sources such as India, Ecuador, Brazil, and other South American countries for their fruit, vegetable, and meat needs.

The ban on the importation of food from the US, EU, Australia, Canada, and Norway for a year began when Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Wednesday to retaliate against countries which have imposed santions against Moscow in relation to the crisis in Ukraiine.

Like Us on Facebook

Russia is one of the biggest buyers of EU fruit and vegetable exports.  In 2011, Russians bought 21.5 percent of EU vegetables and 28 percent of their fruit exports.

Russia also accounts for eight percent of US exports for poultry, putting it behind only Mexico as the largest buyer of chicken.

With the ban in effect, Russia is looking to India to import pomegranate, apples, pears, bananas, grapefruit, and other fruits. Russia currently imports around $100 million worth of agricultural commodities a year from India.  

India is also looking to help address Russia's beef needs with buffalo meat which made up $4.3 billion of their exports in 2013.  Although the primary buyers for the beef alternative has been Malaysia, Mauritius, and the Seychelles, Russia may also look into it as a beef substitute in light of the ban. 

For poultry needs, the VPSS (Phytosanitary Surveillance Service) will discuss increasong food imports with ambassadors from countries like Argentia, Brazil, Chile, and Ecuador.

Francisco Turra, President of Brazils APBA (Animal Protein Association), said that they are prepared to send an additional 150,000 tons of poultry annually to Russia in light of the shortfall that will arise due to the restrictions.

Although some restrictions on the ban for salmon and trout hatchlings, as well as seeds for onions, potatoes, and other crops, have been lifted in order to ease the strain on Russian farmers, restrictions remain in place for most food imports.

TagsRussia, economic sanctions, food import