Russia To Replace U.S., EU Food With South American Goods

Russian officials have made plans with South American countries to boost food imports to replace those lost in Moscow's ban on food produced in the United States, Australia, Canada, Norway, and EU countries.

Andres Rebolledo, the head of Chile's trade organization Direcon, said on August 7 that he and officials from other Latin American embassies met with Russian officials about increasing food exports.

The sanctions announced by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on August 7 -- banning fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, and dairy products from about 32 countries -- came only days after Moscow signed deals with two dozen Brazilian poultry companies and five pork producers.

Russia's food embargo was launched in retaliation against those countries' sanctions over Moscow's alleged role in supporting separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Chilean official Rebolledo said Russian officials pledged to provide a list of products that they hoped Chile could provide to Russia.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AFP