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Yahoo!
Thu Jul 25,10:51 Pm Et. By Dale Wetzel, Associated Press Writer
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A North Dakota delegation finished its trade mission
to Cuba Thursday with almost $2.1 million worth of orders for farm products.
Gov. John Hoeven called the sale of lentils, peas, garbanzo beans and
malting barley an important start to a potential North Dakota trade relationship
with Cuba.
Hoeven is the second American governor to travel to Cuba since the United
States imposed a trade embargo in 1962. Congress agreed two years ago to relax
the embargo, and allow sales of food and medicine.
North Dakota hopes to develop its Cuban s further during an
agricultural trade fair in Havana in September, Hoeven said.
The delegation included representatives of the state's Farm Bureau and Wheat
Commission, and the Northarvest Bean Growers Association of Frazee, Minn.
Cuba now buys dry beans from China. American producers can supply
better-quality beans and ship them to Cuba in a week, compared to six weeks'
shipping time from China, said Tim Courneya, director of Northarvest Bean.
"We possibly could grow this market into a No. 1 or No. 2 trading
partner," he said.
The trip took place as debate in Congress has continued about whether to
further open U.S. trade and tourism with the communist nation. | 
