Missouri representatives on a trade mission to Cuba report a demand for Show-Me State-made goods in the island country.
“It’s clear there is strong demand here in Cuba for the quality Missouri grown and raised products, but right now that demand is being filled by other countries like Brazil and Canada,” said first lady Georganne Nixon, who stepped in for the governor to lead the trip, in a news release. “We had very productive, high-level meetings that will help ensure Missouri products are the first in the door, and put the Show-Me State in the strongest possible position to capitalize on this historic opportunity.”
The delegation, which had representation by farmers, ranchers and agribusiness groups, visited Cuba March 1-4. The first U.S. state trade delegation to the country since President Barack Obama’s November call to normalize relations, Missouri officials traveled with members of the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba, which comprises over 40 agriculture organizations.
During the trip to the country’s capital of Havana, delegates met with the Cuban Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment and the Ministry of Tourism, as well as Josefina Vidal, the Cuban government’s lead negotiator to normalize diplomatic relations with the U.S., according to the release.
Trade opportunities with Missouri include the rice, cattle, corn, aquaculture tobacco and sugar cane sectors.
In 2014, Missouri exported $14.1 billion worth of goods, a 9 percent increase over 2013 and its second-highest year on record. Within that figure, agricultural exports rose 15.3 percent.
Nixon had planned to lead the Cuban trade mission, but remained in the state following the death of Missouri Auditor Tom Schweich. The governor selected his senior adviser, John Watson, to serve as
interim auditor on Feb. 27, a day after Schweich died.[[In-content Ad]]
