The move last week by Pres­ident Obama to begin normalizing relations with Cuba brought cautious optimism about the prospect of increased exports of crops and meat to the island nation.
Cuba, with a population of only 11 million, will never be a major market for U.S. corn, soybeans, pork or beef, Iowa and national farmer leaders said. But Cuba’s proximity to the United States makes it an attractive market today and maybe a bigger market in years to come if the country’s economy grows, they said.
“It’s hard to know if this is going to be a big deal, but it’s a positive first step,” said ...