Australian farmers may be hit by Russian import ban

Australian farmers could face a drop in revenue of hundreds of millions of dollars after Russia introduced bans on most food imports from a number of Western countries which have imposed sanctions against Moscow over its policy on Ukraine.

Australian merchandise exports to Russia were worth $736 million in 2013.

"Russia is introducing a full embargo on import of beef, pork, fruit and vegetable produce, poultry, fish, cheese, milk and dairy products from the European Union, United States, Australia, Canada and Norway," Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev told a government meeting in televised remarks.

The move announced by Mr Medvedev today was taken on orders from President Vladimir Putin in response to sanctions imposed on Russia by the West over the crisis in Ukraine.

The ban has been introduced for one year.

Mr Medvedev said Russia was also considering banning Western carriers from flying over Russia on flights to and from Asia - a move that would significantly swell costs and increase flight time.

He said the decision on that hasn't been made yet.