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Texas producers would find new markets for their agricultural commodities if Congress and the Obama administration would open the trade doors to Cuba, said Adrian Schulze, Blanco County Farm Bureau S & T.

"Lifting trade restrictions with Cuba would benefit Texas agriculture," Schulze said. "Blanco County producers would have a new potential market for their crops and livestock."

A diverse availability of commodities, excellent port facilities and close proximity gives Texas an advantage over other states in agricultural trade with the island nation. Currently, Texas is second only to Louisiana as the largest agricultural exporter to Cuba.

Texas A&M University estimates that Texas agricultural exports to Cuba were valued at approximately $45 million in 2008. However, Blanco County producers see the potential for more.

"We need to open the lines of communication," Schulze said. "Free trade would mean more demand for our products, more jobs in our area and a better standard of living for the people in Cuba."

The U.S. is the only country with a trade embargo on Cuba. The embargo was established under President Kennedy’s administration.

In 2008, Texas Agricultural Commissioner Todd Staples led a group of Texans, including producers and commodity suppliers, to learn what agricultural needs were not being met by Cuban efforts. Texas producers procured cotton and grain contracts totaling close to $1 million after the trade mission.