Deere Reaches Agreement to Sell Farm Machines in Cuba

The Cuba Standard reported recently that Deere executives signed an agreement at the Havana Fair earlier this month to supply farm tractors to Cuba. This is the first direct sale of U.S. machines to Cuba in more than 50 years.

“Deere believes that improvements in the Cuban agricultural sector would improve the availability and affordability of food for the general population,” said Deere spokesman Ken Golden. “The dairy, row-crop and fruit and vegetable are sectors of specific emphasis.”

The announcement came a day after a Caterpillar dealer announced it will open a distribution center at the Mariel Special Development Zone, becoming the first U.S. company to have a physical presence in the high-profile development project.

Both companies seem to be racing to establish a foothold in Cuba before the Trump administration places restrictions on such a possibility. In July, President Trump announced he would prohibit sales to armed forces-controlled entities.

A first shipment of Deere tractors is scheduled to arrive in Cuba this month.  

Source: Cuba Standard