Apr 13, 2022
HAVANA, CUBA -- Last week, USA Rice participated here in the United States Agriculture Coalition for Cuba (USACC). Asiha Grigsby, USA Rice director of international promotions for the Western Hemisphere, attended along with twenty-two representatives of other agricultural groups and the U.S. exporter community.
The four-day event consisted of agricultural presentations from various members of the Cuban trade, farm tours, and a press conference. The highlight of the trip was a reception with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canal Bermudez and several members of his cabinet all of whom received USA Rice’s “Think Rice” pins.
“The people of Cuba and the President of the Republic welcomed the USACC delegates with open arms as invited guests and collaborators in an effort to stimulate bi-lateral trade opportunities between our two countries,” said Grigsby.
The underlying message of the conference was the strong desire for agricultural trade between Cuba and the United States. Cuba is currently navigating a food crisis that forces its citizens to queue in long lines for hours waiting to purchase basic food essentials. High rates of inflation, limited access to hard currency and basic goods, compounded by restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, only exacerbate the need for access to economical, high-quality food.
Trade meetings with Alimport, the entity that facilitates Cuba’s imports, provided insight on the current trade climate, opportunities, and barriers in the market. USACC participants also met with members of the Cuban trade to explore trade relationships with the private sector.
Although the U.S. is a natural market for Cuba, trade relations have been greatly reduced since the implementation of the trade embargo by President John Kennedy in 1962.
“The possibility of making business between the two countries is also a way to build peace in a very complex moment around the world,” said Manleo Hernandez, the representative for the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Cuba does not produce enough rice to satisfy the growing demand with an annual per capita consumption of more than 165 pounds. The majority of rice consumed in Cuba is imported from Asian countries such as Vietnam, and South American countries such as Brazil and Argentina.
In the early 1960s, Cuba was a top three export market for U.S. rice but is not currently importing due to an inability to meet pre-paid requirements for U.S-origin rice. Vietnam and other countries offer favorable payment options, allowing for up to two years of credit for imports, which is the case for rice. In 2021, the U.S. exported 153 MT of rice to Cuba, all of which came in the form of private donations.
“Cuba at one time was a top destination for U.S. rice and America's rice farmers stand ready to supply Cuba again,” said Grigsby. “We strongly urge the Biden Administration to reevaluate the issue of Cuban access to U.S. credit because it would benefit us all.”