Gov. Heineman Hosts Successful
Trade Mission to Cuba

(Lincoln, NE) Gov. Dave Heineman today announced that Nebraska agricultural representatives signed contracts during the state’s latest trade mission to Cuba to fulfill the $30 million Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) secured last spring.

“This was another successful trip for Nebraska ag producers,” Gov. Heineman said. “Our discussions during the past two days resulted in contracts that will fulfill the $30 million agreement signed last spring.

“This trip was also a turning point for our state. Our diligence in pursuing an export relationship with Cuba, our efforts to fulfill the agreements we’ve signed with Alimport, and the work of Nebraska producers to provide high quality agricultural products has been rewarded. Not only have we sold $60 million worth of ag products to Cuba in under two years, but we have established a strong relationship with Cuban officials as a reliable business partner.”

Lt. Gov. Rick Sheehy led a delegation last year resulting in a $30 million agreement for Cuba to purchase Nebraska food products. MOUs are agreements to purchase goods, but are not actual sales contracts. The focus of this trip was on helping Nebraska businesses negotiate contracts with Alimport, the Cuban import authority, in order to fulfill the MOU.

Nebraska businesses signed contracts for $8.9 million prior to the trip. Upon the delegation’s arrival in Cuba they learned of a $5.5 million contract had been secured with wheat producers that includes a stipulation that the wheat come from Nebraska.

Contracts totaling approximately $16 million were signed during the trip for 75,000 tons of Nebraska wheat and approximately $300,000 worth of Nebraska pork products. Negotiations for other contracts were continuing when the Governor departed Cuba today.

Gov. Heineman said, “The results of this trip are evidence of the continuing and expanding export relationship we’ve created with Cuban officials. Now that we’ve established our state as a reliable trading partner, there will be opportunities for Nebraska companies to negotiate directly with Alimport.”

Ag Director Greg Ibach said, “We have worked hard to establish Nebraska as a reliable provider of ag products, and the opportunity for companies to negotiate sales without the requirement of a formal agreement will be important in expanding our export relationship.”

In addition to several negotiation sessions with Alimport officials, Gov. Heineman and members of the delegation toured a Cuban port, local bakery and market, in addition to meeting with Ricardo Alarcon, president of Cuba’s National Assembly, and Felipe Perez Roque, Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Representatives of Nebraska’s beef, pork, wheat, corn, soybean, and dry bean industries participated in the trade mission. This was the Governor’s third trip to Cuba and the fifth international trade mission of his administration.