The Russian government is set to import meat and dairy products from Israel by the end of this year, said Russian Deputy Economic Development Minister Aleksey Likhachyov.

This follows Russia's one-year ban on the import of certain food products from the European Union, the US, Australia, Canada and Norway in August in response to their sanctions on Russia over its alleged involvement in the Ukrainian crisis.

Likhachyov was quoted by Ria Novosti quoted as saying that: "In recent weeks, there has been an active increase in deliveries of vegetables and fruits to replace the products that disappeared from the Russian market by virtue of our embargo on the import of products from countries that have imposed sanctions against us.

"We are actively working on the inspection of a number of Israeli companies that produce dairy and meet products to allow them to deliver to the Russian market."

"Today, we are actively working on the inspection of a number of Israeli companies that produce dairy and meet products to allow them to deliver to the Russian market. I think that at the end of the year, we will see the first batch of such products. I think our customers will be satisfied."

Russia is also importing meat and dairy products from Indian companies, with four suppliers already given access. Various food processing plants in India will be evaluated by Russian experts soon, with a full list of Indian companies allowed to export meat and dairy products to Russia expected by the end of the year.