Renewed Relations With Cuba A Concern For Florida Growers [Opinion]
April 23, 2015 
Frank Giles
When President Obama announced plans to normalize diplomatic relations with Cuba in December, the majority of Americans agreed with the call. A Pew Research poll conducted in January showed more than 60% supported the President’s action.
U.S. Agriculture was even more ecstatic about the potential of opening trade with the Communist nation. The American Farm Bureau’s Bob Stallman trumpeted the melting diplomatic ice, declaring: “The American Farm Bureau Federation strongly supports President Obama’s move toward normalized relations with Cuba. Farm Bureau has long called for a removal of trade restrictions with Cuba, and we believe expanded trade with the U.S. can serve as a cornerstone for additional reforms.
“The President’s opening to Cuba promises to improve trade conditions by making it easier for Cuba to buy U.S. agricultural and food products. This is welcome news for our nation’s farmers and ranchers.
“Improving trade relations between the U.S. and Cuba will expand access to a market of 11 million consumers for U.S. agriculture. That’s good for Cuba and good for America, too. We look forward to working closely with the Administration on this issue.”
But, in Florida, the tone of the agricultural community is decidedly different. Ross Perot famously warned of the “giant sucking sound” that could result from jobs leaving the U.S. due to NAFTA. It might be said Florida growers are worried about a “giant blowing sound” if wider trade is opened with Cuba as the potential for competing winter crops is real.
In fact, the Florida Farm Bureau is the only state bureau that does not support lifting the trade embargo that was imposed in 1960 after Castro’s revolution. The organization’s president John Hoblick told The Palm Beach Post there cannot be a level playing field unless Cuban farmers are allowed to own land and run their own farms.
Loading ...“We don’t want a socialistic government subsidizing agricultural products competing with farmers and ranchers at subsidized rates,” Hoblick told the Post.
Mike Stuart, president of the FFVA, adds Cuba could ramp up production of competing crops over time. “For Florida growers, particularly in the South, there’s a lot of downside and little-to-no upside with a lifting of the embargo,” he says. “With a population of 11 million mostly impoverished people, Cuba is not much of a market for high-value commodities from Florida.
“The U.S. market, however, would be highly attractive to Cuban producers. And, as Cuba’s production and supply chain infrastructure improves over time, their capacity to produce and ship winter vegetables during our marketing window would likely have a significant negative impact on our industry.”
Growers also are concerned about the potential of new invasive pests being introduced into the state from Cuba.
While there is concern, the President’s action only opens the door to discussions. And, further opening trade would require Congressional and Presidential approval. Ultimately, if Cuba moves toward a more free market system, I think we’d all be happy for its people who have lived under the thumb of Communism for nearly 60 years.
But, if and when freer trade is opened with our neighbors only 90 miles to the south, Florida should insist agricultural trade is carried out on a level playing field.
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