Champaign County farmer and ICG board member Dirk Rice participated in both tours and says this one helped show the Cubans that Illinois farmers are serious about doing business with the island nation.

 

 

Right now Cuba sources most of their corn and soybean imports from South America, and rice comes halfway around the world from Vietnam. The U.S. could supply higher quality grain at much lower prices due to transportation advantages, but despite opening the Cuban market to travel, trade restrictions, including the granting of credit remain in place. Rice says that sharply limits the ability of American farmers to sell into the Cuban market, even though the Cubans want to trade with the U.S.

 

 

Rice says going forward farmers hope the Trump administration will continue to open the Cuban market. Relaxing trade restrictions is key to opening up a billion dollar market.