Cuba a viable market for Texas agriculture

Cuba a viable market for Texas agriculture
Blair Fannin, Texas AgriLife
Mar. 4, 2011 3:48pm
* Cuba is viable market for Texas agriculture.
* Corn, wheat, rice, meat, poultry, cotton and forest products have a
potential market in Cuba.
* In some years, the U.S. supplies the majority of food imported by Cuba

U.S. food, agriculture and forestry exports to Cuba reached $361 million
in 2010, and while down 31 percent from the previous year, Cuba remains
a viable market for Texas, according to a Texas AgriLife Extension
Service economist.

Dr. Parr Rosson said that Texas businesses are well positioned to
compete in Cuba because of the quality of products and proximity to the
market. In some years, the U.S. supplies the majority of food imported
by Cuba, he said.

Corn, wheat, rice, meat, poultry, cotton and forest products have a
potential market in Cuba.

"Processed foods have made inroads in the travel and tourism sector,
resulting in more exports in some years," Rosson said. "New travel rules
have made it easier for Texas producers and food exporters to go to Cuba
on business. Increased demand by international travelers and the Cuban
population will require more products to enter the country and create
more opportunities for those who produce agricultural goods in Texas and
across the country."

Rosson and other experts will be discussing these trends and other
issues at a March 31 workshop in Houston. The workshop will be held at
16925 Northchase Drive and is co-sponsored by the Texas-Cuba Trade
Alliance, the Greater Houston Partnership, AgriLife Extension and the
International Transportation Management Association.

"The Texas-Cuba Trade Alliance has experts to answer most questions
about exporting to Cuba," Rosson said. "For the first time, the workshop
will examine oil-spill mitigation and safety, should more drilling occur
off Cuba's coast."

Rosson said the workshop will help Texas businesses, including farmers
and ranchers, learn how to export food, forestry and agricultural goods
to Cuba.

"Many may not know that it's now legal to export food, agricultural
goods, lumber and medical products to Cuba," Rosson said. "This workshop
will present a broad view on how to do business with Cuba, new U.S.
travel policy and what sectors are experiencing export growth."

Topics and speakers include market potential in Cuba, Jorge Bolanos,
chief, Cuban Interests Section; licensing and doing business with Cuba,
Cynthia Thomas, president, TriDimension Strategies; new developments in
U.S. /Cuba policy, presented by a Port of Houston representative; and
oil drilling safety issues, Dr. Lee Hunt, president, International
Association of Drilling Contractors.

Ernest Bezdek, director of trade development with the Port of Beaumont,
will provide an overview of trade missions to Cuba during lunch.
Registration for both the workshop and luncheon is $65 if paid by March
14 and $80 afterwards.

For more information, contact Rosson at 979-845-3070 or email
prosson@tamu.edu. Information is also available at http://www.tcta.us/

http://southwestfarmpress.com/markets/cuba-viable-market-texas-agriculture