Crowley Rice Mill Ships Rice To Cuba
USA Rice
HAVANA, CUBA – Earlier this month, a small shipment of U.S. rice was exported and unloaded here by a private importer, marking one of the first commercial sales to Cuba in many years. In recent years, sporadic shipments of U.S. rice have made it into the country, but primarily on a charitable basis.
The last meaningful commercial sales of U.S. rice to Cuba were in 2008, prior to a shift to sourcing from other origins, namely Vietnam. Current U.S. laws and regulations require payment of cash up-front which limit Cuban buyers’ ability to source from the U.S. and they often seek imports from other origins that can offer generous credit terms.
The sale was made by Supreme Rice through a Miami-based exporter, following a USA Rice visit to Cuba in early April for the U.S.-Cuba Agriculture Business Conference.
“We understand that the buyers in Cuba really enjoyed the rice we shipped, and we hope that the demand continues to grow,” said Bobby Hanks, CEO of Supreme Rice Mill in Crowley, Louisiana. “If we’re successful in demonstrating demand in this market right in our backyard, maybe it will help Congress realize that it’s time for legislative changes that make doing business there easier.”
With U.S. long grain supplies anticipated to grow this year, more opportunities for short and medium-term commercial growth in Cuba may develop