Around one hundred companies represented by 250 executives of 23 American states have arrived at Havana to negotiate with the Cuban authorities. From the end of 2001, in spite of the embargo and due to the passage of Michelle´s hurricane, U.S.A. authorized an exception to the blockade for agro-alimentary sector and businesses with the government of Fidel Castro began.

At the moment U.S.A. is the sixth commercial partner of Cuba According to the president of the food trade company of Cuba (Alimport), the island glides to boost its imports until around 600 million dollars.

Rice is located among the greater purchases of Cuba, occupying the third place of the American exports.

Recently the First Pan-American Congress of Rice was celebrated in Cancún. During the event producers and retailers of U.S.A. supported the elimination of the economic and commercial sanctions to Cuba, and the suppression of the restrictions for trips to the Caribbean country.