Nine farmer leaders and staff members from the National Corn Growers Association, the U.S. Grains Council and the North Dakota Barley Council traveled to Cuba last month to see first-hand opportunities for expanding U.S. coarse grain exports if trade is fully normalized with the island nation.
The mission was part of an ongoing effort by the grains industry to assess and build plans to address marketing, financial and educational barriers to increase sales to Cuba. As the overseas market development organization for corn, barley, sorghum and grain co-products, the Council is considering how best to engage the Cuban market with partnerships and programs.
Among the participants was NCGA first vice president Rob Elliott of Illinois. Interview with Rob Elliott, NCGA first VP