Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Visits Cuba
Fidel Castro wants to buy Oklahoma wheat and Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Steve Kouplen says he’s ready to sell! Kouplen, a Beggs farmer and rancher, has just returned from a seven-day trade mission to Cuba sponsored by Farm Bureau.
"We made it clear to the Cuban government we’re willing to sell our products to them," Kouplen said.
Cuba’s struggling economy, mired in a decades-long slump, is a major stumbling block to trade with the U.S. So is the political climate. Current U.S. law allows exports of food and medicine, but only on a cash basis. No credit can be extended to the island nation.
"They want the laws to change, allowing more U.S. tourist trade, which would generate cash they could use to buy our products," Kouplen said.
"Oklahoma farmers believe the trade embargo imposed by the U.S. on Cuba is a failed policy that should be ended," Kouplen said.
During a five-hour dinner meeting with Castro, Kouplen said they discussed a wide range of agriculture issues, including the purchase of Oklahoma farm products.
"He’s very interested in buying wheat and soybeans," Kouplen said. "They have a popular soy yogurt, made with whole soybeans, that provides a large percentage of their daily protein needs."
The Oklahoma farmer and rancher said Cuba would also like to buy American dry milk products, corn, fresh fruit and vegetables.
Kouplen was joined by American Farm Bureau president Bob Stallman and four other state Farm Bureau presidents.
