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Coalition Asks Pres. Biden to Improves Relations with Cuba

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The United States Agriculture Coalition for Cuba is asking the Biden Administration to improve relations between the U.S. and Cuba. In a letter to President Biden, the group said the current sanctions “hurt the Cuban people.” Normalized trade relations are also touted as an opportunity for U.S. farmers. The letter was signed by more than 20 groups, including the U.S. Dry Bean Council.

Dry Bean Council Meets with Cuban Officials

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The U.S. Dry Bean Council, along with representatives from other agricultural trade groups, met with Ambassador Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, General Director for U.S. Affairs for Cuba’s Foreign Ministry, in Washington DC earlier this month.
 
Despite the renewal of several regulations limiting trade with Cuba, Cuba remains interested in engaging with U.S. entities whose commercial activities are still permitted by regulations. Fortunately, those regulations remain favorable to agriculture.
 
For the first time, the 2018 Farm Bill included language allowing for the use of marketing funds granted under the MAP and FMD programs to conduct trade development activities in Cuba. USDBC will continue to provide updates on this opportunity as it develops.

USDBC to Study Cuba Market Opportunities in 2019

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For the first time, the 2018 Farm Bill allows for the use of USDA Foreign Agricultural Service market promotion funding to conduct export development activities in Cuba. In the past, U.S. agricultural trade organizations have used private funding to promote trade with Cuba.

Despite the fact that many financial and banking restrictions remain in place, this is a win for U.S. agricultural trade. The U.S. Dry Bean Council will conduct an initial market scoping exercise in the second quarter of 2010, with the goal to put together a trade mission to the island in late 2019 or early 2020.

(Source: U.S. Dry Bean Council)