COXSACKIE – A recent New York State sponsored-agricultural trade mission to Cuba was a success, according to those who participated in it.

Among the farmers from the Hudson Valley who participated was Lloyd Zimmerman of Black Horse Farm in Coxsackie.

Since the U.S. is only allowed to sell agricultural products to Cuba, Zimmerman said the government officials were very much interested in buying Hudson Valley apples, beans, corn, grains and dairy products.  And, because of the perishable nature of the products, they would need to be delivered ASAP, said Zimmerman.

“We have already discussed shipping perishables down there by air,” he said. They are also investigating the Port of Albany to see if the products could be shipped from there. That is in the infancy stages, though, Zimmerman said.

Stewart Airport would be a good point from which to fly the agricultural products to Cuba, Zimmerman said.

The one potential hang up to any deal is that the U.S. government requires that Cuba pay for the products in full before they are shipped, he said.