Cuba & USA: Cuba to enter in malting barley deal with USA

North Dakota officials hope to issue good news this week about new deals with Cuba for malting barley and other commodities, Dakota Farmer reported May 28.

Roger Johnson, North Dakota commissioner, has been in Cuba with a group of farmers, processors and state officials. They have been negotiating with Cuban import officials

The Cuban government will require a specific label and package for shipment into their country.

"The Cubans also want a phytosanitary requirement for barley malt, something that isn't now required by the U.S., but is required by other international markets," Johnson says. "Our phytosanitary experts will work with the federal officials to develop a process that will permit the first shipments of North Dakota barley malt to go to Cuba."