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(Havana) Private business representatives on the 10-member Nebraska agricultural trade team in Cuba began serious discussions today about potential sales of beans and other agricultural products to Cuban commodity importer Alimport.
Meanwhile, Gov. Dave Heineman and Nebraska Agriculture Director Greg Ibach joined the presidents of the Nebraska Farm Bureau, the Nebraska Corn Board and the Nebraska Wheat Board in exploring additional export opportunities, including corn, wheat and meat sales, with Cuban leaders. Cuban representatives included Alimport Chairman Pedro Alvarez and Juan Contino Aslam, President of Cuba's Provincial Legislative Assembly.
"The tenor of this trip has been strictly business," Gov. Heineman said. "Our Cuban hosts are serious about pursuing long-term agricultural product purchases, and we are equally serious about helping them achieve those aims for Nebraska's farmers and ranchers."
Bean sales negotiations appear to hinge on whether Nebraska's high-quality beans can be delivered to Cuban shores at an acceptable price to Nebraska producers, given the continuing influence of fuel price pressures.
Western Nebraska bean sales representatives continued working toward mutually agreeable ground, flattered at the invitation to a new market, yet surprised by the accelerated pace of negotiations. Delegates took brief breaks to eat lunch with Alvarez and for an afternoon visit with Raul de la Nuez, the Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade. The Governor and delegates are hosting a reception tonight for Cuban officials. Negotiations are expected to continue into the evening.
Ibach said, "There’s a striking difference between this trade mission and the other trade missions that we’ve been on. This mission involves direct negotiations. Most trade missions lay groundwork and build relationships for future negotiations."
Nebraska's delegation includes Stan Garbacz of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, Charlie Witmer of Stateline Bean Producers Co-op, Brett Morrison of Nebraska Bean Inc., Bryce Kelley of Kelley Bean Corp., Mark Jagels of the Corn Board, David Hilferty of the Wheat Board, Keith Olsen, president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau, and Chuck Hibberd of the University of Nebraska’s Panhandle Research and Extension Center.
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