Vietnam Donates 5,000 MT Of Rice To Cuba; Follows US Company Donation Of 20 MT

On 16 June 2016, the government of Vietnam delivered a donation of 5,000 metric tons of rice to the government of the Republic of Cuba.   

In May 2016, Bernie, Missouri-based Martin Rice Company donated 20 metric tons (one container with a value of approximately US$18.000.00) of long grain enriched rice sourced from the State of Missouri to Republic of Cuba government-operated Empresa Cubana Importadora Alimentos (Alimport), under the auspice of the Ministry of Foreign Trade of Cuba (MINCEX), for distribution to charities within the Republic of Cuba.

The Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act (TSREEA) of 2000 re-authorized the direct commercial (on a cash basis) export of food products (including branded food products) and agricultural products (commodities) from the United States to the Republic of Cuba, irrespective of purpose. 

Since the first exports under TSREEA in December 2001, the government of the Republic of Cuba has purchased more than US$5.2 billion in agricultural commodities and food products from United States-based companies.  

Government of Vietnam-operated Vinafood 1 and Vinafood 2 have provided payment terms to Alimport of up to two years to pay for rice (25% to 30% broken).  In 2010, rice exports from Vietnam to the Republic of Cuba were 400,000 metric tons and in 2011 were 300,000 metric tons. 

United States producers can provide rice (25% to 30% broken); payment terms, however, without the use of United States government export programs, would remain cash-on-delivery to 30 days; and for credit-worthy customers, generally not exceed sixty days to ninety days.