Government departments in Russia have been instructed to come up with a list of products subject to the sanctions order. Russia has imposed import bans on other states in the past, but normally on grounds of public health.
Wednesday's decree did not specify which countries would be affected by the new measures. However, the EU and US recently tightened sanctions on Russia, with Brussels applying restrictions to sectors of the economy as well as individuals.
Russia buys fruit and vegetables from the EU worth an annual $2.7 billion, and food and agricultural products from the US. Last week Russia banned most agricultural imports from Poland on grounds of public health in what was seen as a thinly veiled retaliation for Poland's advocacy of tough action over Ukraine.
The Russian decree cites "national interests" as grounds for the latest measures. The list of goods being affected should be ready by Thursday, according to the Russian business daily Vedomosti. Wine and baby food will not be affected, it added.
Russia, which was first subjected to sanctions after annexing Crimea in March, has been accused of fomenting the armed rebellion in Ukraine's eastern regions.
Brussels hardened its sanctions at the end of July, amid growing anger over the downing of the Malaysia Airlines jet.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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