Unions and co-operatives in the sector organized the give-away under the slogan "Save the Spanish agricultural sector from the serious consequences of the Russian embargo".

Groups including Asaja, COAG and UPA demanded compensation from EU Agriculture Ministers who are currently meeting in Brussels.Madrid residents were invited to help themselves to items including peaches, pears, apples and potatoes.

According to the Spanish edition of the Huffington Post, the event also included a social media photocall. Recipients of the free fruit were encouraged to post selfies of themselves with the hashtags #BesaLaFruta (kiss the fruit) and to declare themselves against the #VetoRuso (Russian embargo).

Gracias a todos y todas los que nos habéis apoyado en el reparto contra el #VetoRuso #BesaLaFruta pic.twitter.com/YqSaRCVuvM

— UPA (@UPA_prensa) September 5, 2014

Spanish fruit exports to Russia usually total €340 million ($441 million) a year and loss of access to the market has had "very serious" effects on the sector according to unions.

Producers across Europe, who exported €9 billion of food to Russia last year, have been left with a glut of certain foodstuffs as a result of the embargo.

Russia's year-long embargo on fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and dairy imports from the European Union was announced in early August. It was imposed as a retaliation for sanctions imposed on Russia  because of its support for rebels in Ukraine.