USA PEARS HEADED TO CUBA AFTER A FORTY-YEAR ABSENCE

For the first time in four decades, USA Pears grown in Washington state is listed among the produce imported into Cuba from the United States. Kevin Moffitt, president and chief executive officer of the Pear Bureau Northwest, cut the proverbial ribbon on Cubas USA Pear imports at the first U.S. Food & Agribusiness Exhibition held in Havana from September 26 to September 30, 2002.

PORTLAND, Ore – October 10, 2002 - For the first time in four decades, USA Pears grown in Washington state is listed among the produce imported into Cuba from the United States. Kevin Moffitt, president and chief executive officer of the Pear Bureau Northwest, cut the proverbial ribbon on Cubas USA Pear imports at the first U.S. Food & Agribusiness Exhibition held in Havana from September 26 to September 30, 2002.

Empresa Cubana Importadora Aliementos (Alimport), Cubas government-operated primary importer of agricultural products, has identified fresh U.S. pears as a desirable import commodity. And in fact, during the show Alimport placed an order for five containers (roughly 6000 44-lb. Boxes) of USA Pears to be delivered by December 2002.

This show allowed us to take an exciting first step in exploring and developing a new market for USA Pears in Cuba," Moffitt said. With no local pear production, we believe the Cuban market will respond well to the high quality pears produced in the U.S. At the show, the majority of attendees who sampled our pears told me that they had never seen a fresh pear, let alone tasted one. The response to our fresh pears was overwhelmingly positive."

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash) has been an active proponent of developing agricultural trade relations between Cuba and Washington state. During a January 2002 visit to Cuba, Cantwell stated, "A trade relationship between Washington state and Cuba is a win-win proposition. Selling agricultural products to Cuba is common-sense policy. It provides Cubans the food they need and Washington state farmers new markets for their products."

In October 2000, the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act (TSRA) re-authorized the direct export (on a cash basis only) of US food and agricultural products to Cuba. In 2001, Cuba imported approximately U.S.$750 million in agricultural products and food products to meet the needs of Cubas 11.217 million citizens and 1.8 million visitors.

With regard to market opportunity for fresh USA Pears, Moffitt said, Today, the fresh fruit and vegetable market in Cuba is served primarily by Canada, Holland, Mexico and Chile. However, the close proximity of the U.S. to Cuba provides us with a great opportunity to expand the fresh pear market in Cuba. We believe the U.S. fresh pear industry can offer the advantage of providing the quality that Cubans are seeking as well as timely delivery to the market."

The first shipments of USA Pears have been sent from Washington state. However, as the fresh pear market in Cuba matures, Oregon-grown USA Pears will likely be included in future purchases.

About the Pear Bureau Northwest

The Pear Bureau Northwest is a non-profit marketing organization established in 1931 to promote the fresh USA Pears grown in Washington and Oregon. The Bureau represents 1,600 growers and develops national and international markets for Northwest pear distribution. For more information, visit www.usapears.com.

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