Cargill Welcomes White House's Historic Opening to Cuba

18 Dec 2014 --- Cargill executives expressed support for the White House's plan to normalize relations between the United States and Cuba.

"Our two countries and people deserve the opportunity to trade and engage with one another," said Cargill chief executive officer and president David MacLennan. "This is an important moment. The history of trade liberalization has clearly led to economic and social benefits for others. "

Cargill has long been a proponent of ending the embargo and has supported humanitarian exemptions on food shipments to Cuba.

"This move will drive growth in both countries," said Devry Boughner Vorwerk, a Cargill vice president and chair of the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba (USACC), a partnership of more than 20 prominent U.S. agriculture associations committed to normalizing trade with Cuba. "It will create a new market for U.S. farmers, ranchers and food companies, and give the Cuban people improved access to affordable food."