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Cuba provides opportunities for Indiana agriculture

 

 

 

Opportunities for ag trade continue to open up in Cuba.

Ed Ebert, director of grain marketing for the Indiana Soybean Alliance and the Indiana Corn Marketing Council was part of a group representing Indiana and Michigan agriculture on a recent trip to Cuba.  “They are importing food and exporting products from Cuba as well,” he says.  “Anytime there is agricultural trade there is opportunity.  Obviously we saw different types of agriculture than we see here in the US.”

However, Ebert says, trade development depends on how fast the diplomatic relationship with Cuba progresses.  “There is a long history of difficult relationships between our two countries,” he says.  “Certainly when you look at where they’re at in terms of economic development within their country – there are very much differences between the US and Cuba.”

Earlier this week the Obama administration announced the final steps are underway to ease restrictions on business and travel to Cuba and American agricultural exporters can begin opening offices and facilities in the country.