USA Rice Set to Exhibit at Havana Trade Fair

Washington, DC, October 22, 2004 — The USA Rice Federation will exhibit at Cuba’s premier international trade event, the 22nd Havana International Fair, Nov. 1-7, inside the pavilion of ALIMPORT, the Cuban food import agency.

“ALIMPORT is pleased that the USA Rice Federation has accepted our invitation to have a booth promoting American rice at the Havana show next month,” said ALIMPORT President and CEO Pedro Alvarez. “Their presence is essential to the continued success of improving trade with Cuba.”

“USA Rice has been an exhibitor at this event since 2001, when we were the first U.S. entity to exhibit at a Cuban show in more than 40 years,” said USA Rice President and CEO Stuart Proctor. “Re-establishing an entry into the Cuban market has been a boon for the U.S. rice industry,” Proctor said.

In past years, an estimated 1,700 exhibits from more than 65 countries have drawn thousands of Cuban and international visitors and buyer to the event.

Alvarez outlined the importance of USA Rice’s historic relationship with ALIMPORT. “We always remember with fondness and pride the pioneering work of the USA Rice Federation beginning before the first sales were made in 2001 and continuing to the present day,” he said. “The work of the USA Rice Federation in Cuba and with us at ALIMPORT, with school children, with our chefs, and our consumers has been instrumental in educating us about the unique qualities of American rice and we have increased our purchases and have been better because of it.”

Alvarez expressed enthusiasm for the trade potential with the United States. “We are sure that once the current trade restrictions are lifted, Cuba will quickly pass from what is now the number three position as an importer of U.S. rice to the number one export market for your growers and exporters. The U.S. rice industry should be proud of the work of USA Rice Federation in opening this door and helping us to decide to buy more U.S. rice. We recognize the leadership as well the efforts made by USA Rice in helping to open this market without restrictions.”

ALIMPORT and others in the Cuban government have frequently cited USA Rice participation in the Havana International Fair and other efforts as significant factors in opening the door for the re-establishment of rice trade in late 2001. “U.S. growers, millers and exporters of rice have had a direct benefit due to the high professional quality of work conducted by the USA Rice Federation. USA Rice was there at the beginning working with us to open the Cuba market and your continued promotion efforts and contribution of bettering relations and trade are essential,” Alvarez said.

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Photo: Cuban President Fidel Castro discusses the quality of United States rice with Marvin Lehrer, USA Rice Director, Latin America, during last year’s Havana International Fair.

USA Rice Federation is the national advocate for all segments of the rice industry, conducting activities to influence government programs, developing and initiating programs to increase worldwide demand for U.S. rice, and providing other services to increase profitability for all industry segments.

Contact: David Coia, (703) 236-1444, dcoia@usarice.com