Cuba

Cuba making it difficult for farmers to export coffee to the U.S.

BY EMILY WILLIAMS

willi501@miamioh.edu

July 12, 2016 09:08 AM

Cafe cubano, the traditional coffee drink in Cuba, is strong espresso that is sweetened during brewing.
Cafe cubano, the traditional coffee drink in Cuba, is strong espresso that is sweetened during brewing. Photo by Emily Williams
Cafe cubano, the traditional coffee drink in Cuba, is strong espresso that is sweetened during brewing. Photo by Emily Williams

In another step toward normalizing relations with Cuba, coffee grown on independently owned farms can now be exported to the United States.

Nespresso, a Swiss coffee company owned by Nestle Group, announced last month that they will be selling Cuban coffee in the United States. The product,Cafecito de Cuba, is currently being sold as a limited edition product.

On April 22, the U.S. State Department added coffee to a list of products entrepreneurs within the Republic of Cuba are permitted to export to the United States. According to the U.S. State Department, those who can prove that they operate a business outside of the state sector, as well as meet a variety of other requirements pertaining to the business and its product, can sell their goods to American companies.

However, Cuban policies on the exportation of goods are making it difficult for Cuban coffee farmers to utilize this change in policy.

Read more at InCubaToday.

  Comments