03.07.02

Cantwell: Cuba to Purchase $4.5 million of Washington State Peas and Apples

Announcement comes on heels of Senator's agricultural mission to Cuba

Washington, D.C. - Two months after U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell's (D-WA) agricultural mission to Cuba, Cantwell today announced that Cuba will purchase 20,000 tons of peas and 1,000 tons of apples from Washington state growers.

"With this purchase, Washington state growers will sell about $4.5 million of peas and apples to Cuba," Cantwell said. "Today's announcement is a first-step in our effort to expand exports of Washington state agricultural products to Cuba."

In a letter to Cantwell, Pedro Alvarez Borrego, Director of Alimport, the Cuban import agency, said "We are intending to purchase medium-to-large red apples as juicy as the ones we had the opportunity to try and enjoy while in your visit."

In mid-January, Cantwell visited Cuba on an agricultural mission with the University of Washington's Center for Women in Democracy, during which she encouraged Cuban leaders, including President Fidel Castro and the Director of Alimport, Cuba's Import Agency, to purchase Washington state peas and apples. Since then, she has continued working with Cuban officials to sell Washington state agricultural products in the country.

Key facts:

The total sale is expected to be about $4.5 million

Cuba will pay cash for the peas and apples

The sale of 20,000 metric tons of peas, worth about $4 million, is expected to be completed in May

The sale of 1,000 metric tons of apples, worth about $500,000, is expected to be completed in May or June

Cantwell will continue to work on the sale by assisting the shippers of the Washington state products obtain required export licenses from the U.S. Department of Treasury

Cantwell will work with apple grower and pea and lentil grower associations in Washington state help Cuba identify suppliers

Key quotes:

Senator Cantwell

"With this purchase, Washington state growers will sell about $4.5 million of peas and apples to Cuba. Today's announcement is a first-step in our effort to expand exports of Washington state agricultural products to Cuba."

Pedro Alvarez Borrego, Director of Alimport, the Cuban import agency

In letter to Cantwell: "We are intending to purchase medium-to-large red apples as juicy as the ones we had the opportunity to try and enjoy while in your visit."

Chris Schlect, President of the Northwest Horticultural Council

"Senator Cantwell was extremely instrumental in this most welcome proposal by the Cuban government. Our industry looks forward to making this sale work to the benefit of WA state apple growers. Her trip in January to Havana was pivotal in this going forward."

Welcome Saur, President of the Washington state Apple Commission

"We greatly appreciate the Senator Cantwell's efforts on behalf of apple growers to facilitate this opportunity."

Tim McGreevy, Executive Director of the Washington State and Idaho Dry Pea and Lentil Commission

"The Washington State and Idaho Dry Pea and Lentil Commissions appreciate the efforts of Senator Cantwell and others to secure this opportunity for our growers to re-enter the Cuban market with a significant sale."

Bill Brookreson, Acting Director of the Washington State Department of Agriculture

"We want to thank Senator Cantwell for her efforts to open this market for Washington producers. We believe Cuba has great potential as a market for Washington's agricultural products."