"This ban won't be for long. According to our estimates, restrictions on chicken supplies could be canceled after February 10-15," Mr Vlasov said, adding that the broiler feeding cycle was 36-42 days.

"Given the fact that feed can be stored at companies and farms for some time, our calculations show that there will be no danger by the middle of February."

Russia has introduced interim restrictions on imports of pork, slaughter and fattening pigs from Germany, as it discovered dioxin in poultry and pig feed from 24 January. The restrictions do not cover pork checked by Germany's state laboratory, reports RIA Novosti.

Mr Vlasov said that the temporary restrictions on pork imports would last longer as the cycle of fattening pigs was about 150 days. He said the ban could be lifted at the end of March.