Special Report

Cuba opens doors to new markets for ag

The announcement that the US is working normalize trade relations with Cuba provides the potential for additional markets for US agricultural goods.

Michigan Farm Bureau president Carl Bednarski says Cuba is a large importer of dry beans. He tells Brownfield Michigan is the number two producing state for dry beans – and ranks number one in the production of dry black beans.

However, the majority of Cuba’s bean imports of dry beans currently come from China, Canada, and Argentina.

Bednarski says there is significant potential for market expansion – and it’s an exciting opportunity for growers. “But, we need to make sure it is done correctly,” he says. “And that none of our growers or producers are harmed by a trade agreement that isn’t thought through properly.”

Bednarski says fair trade is vitally important to the continued success of the agriculture industry.

Trade with Cuba as well as various other agricultural issues are expected to be discussed during today’s delegate session at the 2015 American Farm Bureau annual meeting.