U.S. Reps. Rodney Davis (R-IL) and Cheri Bustos (D-IL) returned from a trade mission to Cuba on Thursday, where they brokered opportunities for Illinois farmers.
"We've allowed the sale of certain agricultural products to Cuba since 2000, but because of government restrictions we've put Illinois farmers, and the Cuban people, at a disadvantage," Davis said before departing on the trip. "I'm looking forward to learning more about how improving agricultural trade with a country that imports roughly 70 percent of its food and is located just 90 miles from our coast can create greater opportunities for Illinois farmers."
The delegation, sponsored by the Illinois Cuba Working Group, also included officials from the Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Soybean Growers, Illinois Corn and AGCO. The group met with the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Alimport, the Cuban government's agency in charge of coordinating all overseas purchases.
Illinois exported $24 million of corn and soy to Cuba in 2014, according to the Illinois Cuba Working Group, but that figure is down 63 percent from 2008, when the same exports to Cuba totaled approximately $66 million. Bustos and Davis said they hoped the trade mission provided a deserved boost to Illinois' agricultural exports.
“Illinois farmers have what it takes to compete and succeed on the global economic playing field," Bustos said.
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