Russia mulling limitations on foods supplies from Turkey instead of embargo

"Restrictions on food originating from Turkey will be introduced, but they will involve only some types of products … Changes in the list [of the sanctioned products] will also depend on the rhetoric of the Turkish leaders. It has been changing lately, and also makes the government [react] and continue work," the report said.

A spokesman for the Russian Agriculture Ministry suggested that Russia should impose limitations on Turkish products rather than introduce an embargo. These could be tougher biosecurity requirements, the news agency reported citing two federal officials.

The final list of the Turkish products that will be subject to the sanctions is to be published by December 1.

"The government is ready to ban shipments of Turkish chilled and frozen meat of bovine animals, meat and edible offal of poultry, meat salted in brine, dried or smoked meat, milk and dairy products, including cottage cheese and cheese, as well as lactose-free products, all types of fish (including seafood), nuts, fruits and vegetables (including edible roots and tubers), berries and herbs," according to the report.

As Turkey had become one of the beneficiaries of the food embargo earlier imposed by Russia in response to the Western sanctions, Russian-Turkish bilateral trade in farm produce rose to $4 billion in 2014.

Deputy Head of the Center for Economic Forecasting at Gazprombank Darya Snitko said that imports of Turkish products could be replaced with shipments from Azerbaijan and Israel. However, it "will push purchase prices up," she added.

The trade sanctions are believed to translate into spiraling inflation across Russia, taking into account the fact that shipments of Turkish fruits to Russia account for 11% of overall consumption and vegetables for 5%.

If the Russian government fails to quickly replace the sanctioned products from other countries, prices may skyrocket, Deputy Economic Development Minister Oleg Fomichev confirmed.