Russia will temporarily ban beef imports from New Zealand starting next week after a banned feed additive was reportedly found in some samples.
The country's agriculture safety watchdog, Rosselkhoznadzor, said it had found ractopamine, in some beef samples, Radio NZ reports.
The watchdog said it was also considering banning New Zealand fish after claiming it discovered traces of mercury in some supplies.
Ractopamine, which promotes muscle growth, is banned in beef and sheep feed in New Zealand.
Chief executive of the Meat Industry Association Tim Ritchie said New Zealand ran a testing system for ractopamine in sheep and cattle, and that traces of the additive had never been found.
A spokesman for the Ministry for Primary Industries said New Zealand did not receive prior notification and officials were seeking further clarification, the Daily Mail reported.
The Special Agricultural Envoy, Mike Petersen, believed further testing would show New Zealand beef was clean.
Mr Petersen said the ban would not affect the country's trade relationship with Moscow.
New Zealand's beef exports are worth about $3 billion a year. Sales to Russia, which mainly consist of beef livers, stood at less than $10 million.