Scottish Government ministers met with food sector leaders this week to discuss the impacts of the Russian trade ban on the industry.

On Tuesday, food sector delegates debated the potential impacts of trade sanctions on their businesses with ministers, after a diplomatic row with Russia over actions in the Ukraine led to the country banning imports of food and drink from countries in the European Union and economic area, United States and Australia.

With the ban expected to last for a year, the sector is currently assessing the potential impact the Russian measures could have, including the potential results of an amount of displaced produce previously destined for Russia on the market. The EU has announced measures to protect producers of perishable fruit and vegetables, which are currently being harvested meaning growers will not be able to find alternative markets or storage in time.

At a meeting in Edinburgh, Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead discussed the importance of retailer support for domestic food suppliers in such times of uncertainty.

As well as investigating new export markets, those at the meeting in Edinburgh spoke about the potential for new UK-based instruments, such as export insurance, that could be used to help businesses, as well as increasing demand for home-grown produce.

Speaking after the meeting Mr Lochhead pledged to contact retailers and encourage them to support growers. He said, "It was clear at the meeting today that much work is still on-going to fully understand the impact displaced produce from across the EU will have on Scotland's wider food sector.

"At this uncertain time it is important for the industry that they continue to be supported by the retailers and I will be writing to them to ask that they do all they can to support Scotland's food producers as the knock-on effects of the Russian trade embargo become clear. With Scottish produce being in high demand I am sure there will be opportunities to find new customers and the Scottish Government will continue to work closely with producers to fully maximise consumer demand for our wide array of premium products."

Meanwhile, it appears that Russia has looked to South America to compensate for lost produce from the EU, United States and Australia, as a result of the trade war. Russian and Argentine officials met to discuss meat, fruit and vegetable imports in the wake of the spat, which is centred on the crisis in the Ukraine.