Russia has banned virtually all food products except baby food from the U.S., the European Union, Canada, Australia and Norway, following up on yesterday's decree in response to sanctions.

Click here for more stories as part of our ongoing coverage of the issue.

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

RIA Novosti published the following list of items that the Russian government has banned for a one-year period.

- Fresh, chilled and refrigerated beef;

- Fresh, chilled and refrigerated pork;

- Poultry meat and all edible poultry by-products;

- Salted, pickled, driedand smoked meat;

- Fish and shell fish;

- Clams and other water invertebrates;

- Milk and dairy products;

- Vegetables, edible roots and tuber crops;

- Fruits and nuts;

- Meat by-products or blood, as well as products made of them;

- Ready-to-eat products including cheeses and cottage cheese based on vegetable fats.

In meeting documents published on the government's website, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said his side had hoped its foreign colleagues would realize sanctions led to a "blind alley" and no one benefits from them.

"But they didn’t realise this, and now we have been forced to respond," Medvedev said, after signing a government resolution on enforcing the executive order.

"Russia has completely banned the importation of beef, pork, fruits and vegetables, poultry, fish, cheese, milk and dairy products from the European Union, the United States, Australia, Canada and the Kingdom of Norway.

"Of course, this is a serious decision with regard to the distributors of these products from the above countries."

He said there were exceptions for baby foods and items purchased by individuals in the countries concerned, provided they are in line with customs legislation.

"These restrictions shall be introduced starting today, and for a period of 12 months. But, if our partners display a constructive approach towards cooperation issues, then the Government would be willing to revise the specific implementation deadlines for these measures," Medvedev said.

"The Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture will start monitoring the commodity markets and price levels on a daily basis, and they shall report their findings to the Government.

"I would also like to warn everyone that any attempts to obtain speculative profits from this situation will be stopped and held accountable."

He added that deciding on the retaliatory measures was a tough choice, but that Russia could take advantage from the situation.

"While touring the country and meeting with farmers, we have repeatedly heard complaints that Russian retail chains and shops do not allow the sale of Russian foodstuffs.

"The retaliatory measures that we are introducing will essentially open up shop shelves for domestic producers.

"Of course, Russian farmers will have to accomplish a lot and work hard, but this opportunity to launch and expand import-substituting production facilities should not be missed."

www.freshfruitportal.com