US loosens restrictions on farm exports to Cuba

The US government's 2009 US$410 billion spending bill included trading with Cuba, a move that the US Grains Council (USGC) welcomed.

This is great news for US farmers and farmers, as loosening the agricultural trade embargo will lessen delays of shipments to Cuba and allow more frequent US agricultural sales opportunities to occur, according to Jim Broten, chairman of USGC.

The US has alleviated its Cuba trade embargo in 2001 after a devastating hurricane hit the Caribbean country.

Broten said the USGC sees Cuba as a potential growth market for US feed grains due to its proximity, and the loosening of trade barriers will help the US and Cuba become larger and better trading partners.

Since 2003, Cuba has imported about 20 million bushels of US feed grains per year.