The US Agriculture Coalition for Cuba (USACC) began forming about a year ago. Its mission is to expand Cuba as a market for US food and agriculture exports and address liberalizing trade between the US and Cuba. The coalition will work to end the embargo and allow for open trade and investment.
The group had planned its press conference before President Obama announced last month that he plans to reestablish diplomatic and trade relations with Cuba (see article).
Held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, and televised on C-SPAN, the USACC event featured a roster of high-powered speakers to help the Coalition promote its agenda. Among them was Tom Vilsack, US Agriculture Secretary.
“The historic policy changes announced by the President will take steps to make American farm and products more price-competitive, which will expand choices for Cuban shoppers at the grocery store and create a new customer base for America’s farmers and ranchers,” Vilsack said.
“The President and this Administration look forward to engaging in an honest and serious debate about next steps in Cuba, and I have no doubt that the USACC will have an important role to play as these conversations continue and we expand our relationship with the Cuban people in the coming years.”
Lawmakers buy in
Other speakers included US Representatives Kevin Cramer (Republican) of North Dakota and Sam Farr (Democrat) from California. US Senators Amy Klobuchar (D) of Minnesota and Jerry Moran (R) of Kansas also took the dais, as did Missouri Governor Jay Nixon.
In her remarks, Cargill VP and USACC chair Devry Boughner Vorwerk said, “We are especially pleased to see such important bipartisan support expressed here today.” Few issues of substance have found common ground between Democrats and Republicans during the past decade.
Boughner Vorwerk also observed that attendance at the event was particularly robust. “We believe this turnout is indicative not only of the policy imperative but also of the moral imperative that is in front of under the circumstances as an industry and as a country.”
USACC members are:
American Farm Bureau Federation, American Soybean Association, Corn Refiners Association, Illinois Cuba Working Group, Illinois Soybean Growers, Illinois Farm Bureau, International Dairy Foods Association, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Barley Growers Association, National Chicken Council, National Corn Growers Association, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Farmers Union, National Grain and Feed Association, National Milk Producers Federation, National Oilseed Processors Association, National Sorghum Producers, National Turkey Federation, North American Export Grain Association, North American Meat Institute, Soyfoods Association of North America, US Canola Association, US Dairy Export Council, US Dry Bean Council, US Soybean Export Council, US Wheat Associates, USA Rice Federation, Smithfield Foods, Chicago Foods International, Cargill and CoBank.
“Changes to US policy toward Cuba can support economic growth and well-being in both countries," she asserted. “Improvements in Cuba market access allow for US farmers, ranchers and food companies to serve a nearby market and the Cuban people gain improved access to healthy and affordable food and feed.”
A wealth of opportunity
Under current sanctions, US food and agriculture companies can legally export to Cuba.
However, financing and trade restrictions limit the ability of the US industry to competitively serve the market, according to USACC. Increasingly, foreign competitors such as Canada, Brazil, and Argentina are able to win market share from the US agriculture and food industry because those countries do not face the same restrictions on financing.
The USACC seeks to establish a more collaborative relationship with Cuban agricultural producers and support the importing of food, beverages and other agricultural products produced in Cuba.
Two-way trade is a critical step in advancing an efficient and globally competitive trade relationship, according to Paul Johnson, president of Chicago Foods International and vice chair of the USACC.
USACC members see Cuba as a logical market for US food and agriculture exports, with 11 million consuming citizens only 90 miles off the coast of the US.
The Coalition believes normalizing trade relations between the US and Cuba will enhance Cuban citizens’ access to affordable food while providing the US farm and business community with new market access opportunities.
Liberalized trade will drive growth in both countries and allow the US farmers, ranchers and food companies to efficiently address Cuban citizens’ food security needs.