ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York apples are headed to Russia in the first commercial venture for the state crop to the former Soviet Union.

The New York Apple Association says the 10,000 cartons of apples sent to Russia so far is the beginning of trade with the huge importer of fruit, providing a growing market for New York farmers.

The trade relationship was established at a produce show in Berlin in February.

New York is exploiting a savings in transportation costs for trade across the Atlantic compared with its West Coast competitors. New York Apples are already exported to Europe, Central America, Canada, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iceland, Scandinavian countries, and Trinidad.

State officials say Russia has become the largest apple importer in the world.