Trade mission to Cuba a success

HAVANA — A trade mission to Cuba, hosted by the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, was a success this February.

Delegates met with government officials, industry and private sector leaders to learn how the United States and Cuba can collaborate in the future on agricultural trade.

They met with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and other government officials from the Ministry of Agriculture. They also visited cooperative farms and a pasta production facility.

“The reason we’re here is simply to make friends, develop contacts and see if we can’t break open some opportunities for trade, friendship and exchange,” said Ted McKinney, CEO of NASDA. “We are certainly encouraged with opportunities in the future for trade.”

Their goals for the trip were:

• Identify and address trade barriers for U.S. agricultural products.

• Gain a better understanding of trade rules and regulations, as well as the political and economic environment.

• Strengthen the United States’ trade relationship with Cuba.

Don Lamb, Indiana State Department of Agriculture director, joined NASDA on the trip.

“Our intent with this trip was to create relationships with Cuban officials so we can enhance our trade markets for Indiana commodities,” Lamb said.

“We know Cuba is in need of animal feed, which Indiana is a large processor of, so finding a potential new market opportunity and establishing a relationship was a top priority.”

Funding for the trade mission was provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Ag Service’s Emerging Markets Program through NASDA.

Did You Know?

U.S. trade with Cuba in 2023 totaled $337 million, with poultry, pork, nonalcoholic beverages and dairy products being the top commodities sold to Cuba.

Source: USDA’s Foreign Ag Service