The Iowa group included representatives from the Iowa Department of Economic Development, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Beef Industry Council, meat companies and grain and feed companies.

This December mission marked the first time that Iowa has sold pork products to Cuba since an embargo began over forty years ago. As a result of the trip, Pedro Alvarez, President of Alimport, the Cuban food import company, announced the purchase of Iowa pork from Cargill Meat Solutions in Ottumwa and Farmland Foods in Denison. Additionally, Mr. Alvarez announced a purchase of pizza topping from Burke Marketing in Nevada.

Background
Over three years ago the Cuban and U.S. governments reached an agreement to allow U.S. agricultural goods to be sold to Cuba on a "cash only" basis. The December negotiations marked the third anniversary of the arrival of the first ship carrying U.S. food products to Cuba. On past trade missions to Cuba, Iowa had been successful in selling corn and soybeans.

One year ago the Iowa agricultural leaders held discussions with the Cuban officials regarding their inspectors traveling to Iowa to inspect pork and beef plants, allowing Iowa meat companies to negotiate sales. A Cuban veterinarian official then inspected representative Iowa plants and approved all U.S. federally inspected plants for exporting pork to Cuba. The successful negotiations in December were the first follow-up in this year long process.

The mission was organized by Mark Fischer of the Iowa Department of Economic Development and Jamie Cashman of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Past President Sam Carney of Adair and Executive Director Rich Degner represented the IPPA on the successful trade mission. Bill Scheitler of LeMars represented the Iowa Beef Industry Council.