May 9, 2007

Mountaire Farms to start exporting chicken meat to Cuba

Delaware-based Mountaire Farms will be shipping chicken to Cuba by the end of May, despite US trade restrictions.

With the shipment, Delaware joins 38 other states currently exporting to Cuba.

Cuba has the potential to be a long-term viable buyer for Eastern Shore chicken, said John Wise, president of Mountaire Farms adding that he is grateful that the state of Delaware and the Department of Agriculture set up the trade deal.

Mountaire will be shipping all dark meat to Cuba.

He added that volumes and prices will be negotiated on a weekly basis, so there would be regular trade.

Michael Scuse, Delaware's secretary of agriculture, led a trade mission to Cuba in March of this year to gain contacts and explore possible opportunities for the state.

Along with the shipment of chicken is also a container load of summer red wheat

States are only allowed to export agricultural products and medical supplies to the country, with payment made by a third party before it is shipped.

Scuse expressed hope that restrictions would be lifted soon adding that the state would continue to look for opportunities to export to Cuba.