Sunday, November 16, 2008

Cuba trade worth $32 million to Virginia farmers

Friday November 14, 2008

Virginia farmers reap $32 million worth of trade with Cuba, commissioner
lays
groundwork for more

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- In just six years, trade between Cuba and Virginia farmers has grown from less than $1 million to more than $32 million. And Virginia Agriculture Commissioner Todd P. Haymore is hoping for even more growth. He recently returned from the Havana International Trade Fair in Cuba, where he and others pushed Virginia's apples, soybeans, poultry, wood and other products. Virginia is among the top five states exporting to Cuba. A nearly 50-year-old trade embargo prevents U.S. tourists from visiting Cuba and prohibits nearly all trade. But a law passed by Congress in 2000 allows the Cuban government to buy U.S. food and agricultural products with direct cash payments.

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