Ag Seizes Trade Opportunities in Cuba

Federal initiatives introduced in 2014 to make trade with Cuba easier appear to have increased sales to the island country.

A newsletter published by the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council said recently that exports of food products and agricultural commodities from the U.S. to Cuba in November 2017 were $21.27 million. In November 2016, that number was $10.59 million. And in November 2015, it was $6.24 million.

The report also cited substantial increases in sales of farm equipment and products for hotels and airlines. Chicken was the biggest export. Herbicides were next.

In 2015 and in 2016, the Obama administration expanded the list of products authorized for export to Cuba from the U.S. to include agricultural equipment and products used by hotels and airlines, as long as the importers were not affiliated with the Cuban government.

In November 2017, products for use by hotels and airlines and agricultural distribution centers totaled $921,996. Most of it—$755,823—was products going to ag distribution centers.

Deere and Caterpillar opened distribution centers in Cuba and have been the biggest exporters of farm equipment.

Source: The Hagstrom Report