America's top food-producing state has sent its first official agricultural trade mission to Havana to show its powdered milk and dairy products, as well an array of fruits, vegetables, nuts, rice and cotton to the communist government.

California produces 400 types of farm products, but many specialized items, including raisins, wine and almonds, are produced in few other parts of America.
"We have a dozen products where we represent 95 percent of total U.S. production. There are many products that could do well here," California Food and Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura said Tuesday. Despite being America's largest generator of agricultural trade, the state shipped only $735,000 worth of farm products to Cuba in 2006.

A 2000 law allows the Cuban government to buy U.S. food and agricultural products in cash.

(www.modbee.com)