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."

 

CEO Betsy Ward meets the press

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) 236-1444

WASHINGTON, DC -- Net rice sales of 28,600 MT for 2014/2015 were up noticeably from the previous week, but down 53 percent from the prior four-week average, according to today's Export Sales Highlights report.  Increases were reported for Haiti (9,500 MT), unknown destinations (6,000 MT), Turkey (2,600 MT), Saudi Arabia (2,500 MT), and Jordan (2,400 MT).  Decreases were reported for Iraq (600 MT). 

Exports of 50,500 MT were down 45 percent from the previous week and 34 percent from the prior four-week average.  The primary destinations were Turkey (28,100 MT), Haiti (10,500 MT), Mexico (4,400 MT), Canada (3,300 MT), and Jordan (1,700 MT).

This summary is based on reports from exporters from the period December 26-January 1.