A Cuban diplomat recently met with officials from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and stated that rice produced in Arkansas will be popular in Cuba, which has agreed to purchase the product if the U.S. trade embargo can be ended.
The Cuban delegation, including Cuban First Secretary Karin Diez, Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs Yusel Arias Cruz and Cuban Deputy Chief of Mission Juan Lamigueiro.
"Rice produced in Arkansas has a long grain variety that is a favorite of the Cuban country," Lamigueiro said. "We are ready to import this variety from Arkansas. The only problem we have is according to the restriction that's still in place by the Congress, the so-called embargo, trade between Arkansas and Cuba cannot be supported by commercial credits."
The embargo, which was first implemented in 1962, states that Cuba must be able to pay only cash to import products from the U.S. Unfortunately, for Cuba to sustain high levels of international trade, it needs commercial credits.
"We really need the support of Arkansas companies to put away all these restrictions and to start with no more trade conditions, an important change for important commerce between Arkansas and Cuba," Lamigueiro said.
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