Improved trade relations between Cuba and U.S. farmers moved one step closer following a recent four-day trade mission to Cuba by a group of Oklahoma Farm Bureau leaders.
The delegation, led by OFB President Steve Kouplen, Beggs, traveled to Cuba April 23-26. The trade mission was organized by U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe, Oklahoma.
“We believe the best way to expand trade with Cuba is to engage them in free and open trade and cultural exchange by lifting travel restrictions related to the sale of agriculture products,” Kouplen said.
The United States is one of the few countries in the world that does not allow trade and tourism with Cuba. The embargo dates to the beginning of the Fidel Castro regime more than 40 years ago. Current U.S. law allows the sale of food and medicine to Cuba on a restricted, cash basis only.
Kouplen said Cuba is ideally situated to be a solid trading partner with U.S. farmers.
“With a population of 11 million people less than 100 miles from our coast, Cuba has great potential as a consumer of American products,” Kouplen said.
Specifically, the Farm Bureau group is interested in selling Oklahoma-grown wheat, cattle and other agriculture products to Cuba.
Cuban government officials told the Farm Bureau leaders that in the first five years of normalized trade, they estimate the value to exceed $21 billion.
“Cuba is ready to purchase up to 60 percent of their food and other goods from the U.S. when trade restrictions are lifted,” said Pedro Alvarez, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Empresa Comercializadora de Alminentos, referred to as Alimport, the department responsible for Cuban trade.
During talks with Alimport officials, the Farm Bureau leaders agreed to continue working on a trade package that would sell up to $10 million of Oklahoma agriculture products to Cuba.
In addition to Kouplen other Oklahoma Farm Bureau leaders participating in the Cuba trip were state Board of Directors Bob Drake of Davis; and Mike Spradling of Sand Springs; OFB Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee Chairman Matt Muller of Martha; and Jackson County Board of Director Danny Robbins of Altus.
