Jan 08, 2015
WASHINGTON, DC -- The USA Rice Federation has joined with more than 25 prominent U.S. food and agriculture associations and companies to form a coalition that seeks to advance trade relations between the United States and Cuba. The U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba (USACC) formally launched at an event here today that was attended by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, a bipartisan group of Members of Congress, and Missouri Governor Jay Nixon.
The purpose of the USACC is to re-establish Cuba as a market for U.S. food and agriculture exports and address liberalizing trade between the United States and Cuba. The coalition will work to end the embargo and allow for open trade and investment, and coming just a few weeks after President Obama's announcement of a major policy shift on Cuba, is well-timed.
"President Obama's new policies on Cuba aim to expand opportunities for U.S. farmers and ranchers, expand choices for the Cuban people, and create new customers for us," Secretary Vilsack said.
"We know the Cuban market for rice is not theoretical. It is real, it is large, and it is compelling," said Betsy Ward, President and CEO of USA Rice, who also spoke at the event. "With rice imports valued at more than $300 million, Cuba is the second largest importer of rice in the Americas. And there was a time when Cuba was our number one export market - we look forward to a return to those days."
The U.S. rice industry has been advocating for open trade and travel with Cuba since the mid 1990's and was the first U.S. commodity back in Cuba in 2001, exhibiting at the Havana Trade Fair, which led to the first U.S. rice sale to Cuba in more than 40 years.
Throughout the last decade, USA Rice has sponsored numerous trade missions, led and participated in many forums, here and in Cuba, and participated in eight Havana International Fairs. Consequently, by 2004, U.S. rice sales to Cuba were valued at $64 million. However, U.S. government policy changes reversed that trend, and by 2009 sales fell to zero, where they remain.
"All we need is an open door, the hard working farmers will do the rest," said Governor Nixon. "Given the opportunity to compete, America's farmers will win."
"We applaud the Obama Administration for their recent actions, and ask our leaders in Congress to normalize trade with this nation that we believe will once again become a major market for U.S. rice," Ward said. "Open trade with Cuba would be an enormous boon for U.S. rice farmers, and we look forward to working with the Cuban rice industry so together we may supply the Cuban people with high-quality, delicious rice."
Contact: Deborah Willenborg (703) 236-144