Russia has turned to China for some of its meat requirements as it continues to ban food imports from the US and the EU.

Moscow imposed the food embargo in August in retaliation for the economic sanctions the US and its Western allies had slapped on Russia for its role in the Ukrainian conflict.

According to reports, The Russian government has approved the export permits of five Chinese pork suppliers, including Baoquanling Shuanghui Food Industry Co. and Wangkui Shuanghui Beidahuang Food Co., both members of the Shuanghui Group.

The three other approved exporters are believed to be LinYi XinCheng JinLuo Meat Products Co., Sichuan Gaojin Food Co. and the Delisi Group Co.

A Shuanghui Group spokesperson has been quoted as saying that they would be able to ship the first batch of pork to Russia by yearend.

There was no mention about the volume of pork to be exported, but an analyst knowledgeable about the Chinese pork market said the first export shipment by the two  Shuanghui firms may be less than 200,000 tonnes.