Newsroom
2005
CWB makes biggest wheat sale to Cuba in 15 years
November 2, 2005
Winnipeg - Canadian wheat sales to Cuba are at their highest level since 1990-91 following a wheat sale agreement signed by the CWB yesterday. The agreement for 100 000 tonnes of Canada Western Red Spring wheat in 2005-06 represents the largest single sale to Cuba since 1997.
Valued at approximately $20 million, yesterday's deal is three times the most recent five-year average of CWB wheat sales to Cuba (about 37 000 tonnes). It comes on top of 77 000 tonnes in wheat sales made previously in the crop year.
"We are very pleased that Cuba has renewed its interest in high-quality Canadian wheat," said CWB president and CEO Adrian Measner, who signed the deal yesterday in Cuba with Pedro Alvarez, president of ALIMPORT, the Cuban importing agency for agricultural products.
"The Cubans have told me that they value the consistent quality of our hard red spring wheat, particularly in blending to improve the milling attributes of other grain."
Controlled by western Canadian farmers, the CWB is the largest wheat and barley marketer in the world. As one of Canada's biggest exporters, the Winnipeg-based organization sells to over 70 countries and returns all sales revenue, less marketing costs, to Prairie farmers.
For more information, please contact:
Maureen Fitzhenry
Manager, Media Relations
Winnipeg, MB
tel: (204) 983-3101
cell: (204) 479-2451