U.S. food and agricultural exports to Cuba totaled $291 million in 2014, the smallest tally since 2003, said the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, which monitors trade flows. The council said the downturn in sales was due to Cuba’s lack of foreign exchange needed to pay cash for U.S. goods, and to more favorable terms available from other nations, including Venezuela and China. Cuba’s state-run food importer, Alimport, says it will buy $2.2 billion worth of food and agricultural goods in 2015, up from the $2 billion spent in 2014. The island nation must import a large portion of its food.
Frozen chicken accounted for half of Cuba’s food purchases from U.S. suppliers last year. Nearly one-quarter of the total was soymeal, and just over 10 percent was soybeans. Corn accounted for just under 10 percent of the imports. Cuba ranked 49th among U.S. export markets, said the council. U.S. farm groups say sales to Cuba should rise due to President Obama’s decision to relax trade restrictions.