Operations should start this October, with the production of Valio UHT drinking milk of 1.5%, 2.5%, 3.2% and 10% fat cream.

"The widening of the range of products produced in Russia is designed to offer customers the widest choice of dairy products that meet the quality standards of Valio," a company statement said.

Until August 2014, about 90% of Valio products in Russia were imported from Finland, with the rest produced at Russian sites including a factory in the village of Ershovo, Moscow Region.

With Moscow's ban on food imports from Western nations, Valio will not be able to replace all dairy products previously sold in Russia.