Moscow, Russia - Mexico is prepared to increase deliveries of foodstuffs to Russia if the opportunity presents itself, Mexican Ambassador to Russia, Ruben Beltran, has said.

"If that opportunity comes up, then Mexico will gladly participate in trade with Russia," Beltran said.

The ambassador said Mexico is one of the world’s leaders in the export of meat, and fruits and vegetables, and added that the Latin American country is also prepared to export fish, tomatoes, avocados, and mangos.

Earlier, Ecuador’s minister of foreign trade, Francisco Rivadeneira, said the Ecuadorian government is currently assessing the possibility of increasing food exports to Russia and creating a list of products that could see increased provisions to Russia in the short - or medium - term.

Russia’s agricultural watchdog, Rosselkhoznadzor, has said it will hold consultations with several Latin American countries on the expansion of food supplies to Russia.

Media reports have suggested that the European Union planned to convince Brazil, Chile, and other Latin American states not to export food products to Russia. The European Union purportedly expects these countries not to take advantage of the embargo on European products.

On August 7th, Russia imposed a ban on food imports from the European Union, the United States, Canada, Australia, and Norway. The decision came in response to Western sanctions imposed on Russia over its alleged involvement in the independence movement in Ukraine.