Americans may covet Cuba’s hand-rolled cigars or daydream about sunbathing on its glittering beaches, but Cubans crave Louisiana agriculture products, especially the Bayou State’s rice.
And as the United States continues on its path of normalizing diplomatic relations with the forbidden isle, The News-Star reports Louisiana farmers believe opening up free trade with Cuba can ultimately be a boon for agriculture.
“Cuba has the potential to buy half our crop, about 600,000 tons,” says Acadiana farmer Richard Fontenot, who grows rice and other crops in Ville Platte. “I’ve heard they really favor our rice, and they consume a ton of it.”
Cuba and the United States are on the verge of reopening embassies on each other’s shores for the first time since President John F. Kennedy cut ties with the country in the 1960s. President Barack Obama favors a gradual lifting of decades-long trade and tourism restrictions, although the embargo remains law for now.
“If we ever get this deal going it’s going to be a big boost,” says Elton Kennedy, who grows thousands of acres of rice in northeastern Louisiana and operates three rice mills. “Cuba used to be one of our biggest customers. Cubans love our rice.”
Farmers and agriculture officials say Louisiana is perfectly positioned to cash in on trade with Cuba because of its close proximity to Louisiana ports.
“The freight costs are tremendous on all of the rice we’re shipping to Iraq and other countries now,” Kennedy says. “That’s not the case with Cuba.”
Fontenot agrees, saying, “We can get rice to Cuba cheaper than anybody, and that translates to a premium for Louisiana farmers.”
But the connection isn’t complete yet. Even with relaxed restrictions, U.S. farmers can’t sell their commodities to Cuba unless it’s an all-cash transaction.
“You can’t do it today, but I’d love to eventually have the opportunity to meet with buyers and ship direct,” Fontenot says.
Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says he believes there will be an escalation in the removal of restrictions after the embassies open, but the biggest initial barrier will be Cuba having enough money to buy Louisiana commodities.
