U.S. Grains Council (USGC) Chairman Ron Gray, a farmer from Illinois, and USGC Regional Director of the Western Hemisphere Marri Carrow returned last week from an agriculture industry mission to learn about and engage with the Cuban government and people.   

Following the trip, Gray reflected on the experience and the work still to be done in a video interview.

“Cuba being close to the United States offers an opportunity not only to be a recipient of exports of commodities, especially grain commodities from the United States, but also allows for us to enter into this region in a bigger and more significant way,� he said.

Last week’s visit highlighted for U.S. agricultural leaders how a meaningful relationship with the United States could benefit the Cuban people and provide new opportunities to boost Cuba’s agricultural capacity, while still boosting U.S. exports.

“Cuban government officials were very positive about this particular mission,� Gray said. “They are excited that business leaders want to be here and want to be involved and trading with the commodities Cuba has to offer.�

See the full video and others from the Council online at www.youtube.com/USGrainsCouncil.