On Friday, the Lafayette International Center held a conference at the Petroleum Club to discuss relations between the United States and Cuba.

In the past Cuba was the largest importer of Louisiana rice. With president Obama’s decision to normalize relations with Cuba many are wondering if Louisiana could benefit from restored trade.

Kevin Berken, chairman of the Louisiana Rice Promotion Board grew on a farm and has spent the last twenty years growing rice.

Berken says the amount of rice Cuba imports is about the same as what Louisiana produces.  With about seven hundred miles between the two locations, Berken says Louisiana would benefit from restored trade with Cuba.

“It would be a big boom for our economy here in southwest Louisiana and all of Louisiana for rice farmers and everyone involved…and to kickstart rice prices are very depressed right now.”

Larry Sides, president of a SIDES and Associates, a communications firm in Lafayette, has visited Cuba numerous times.  He says on one trip he saw Cubans drying rice on the side of the road.

“So they sweep it off the side of the road into the bags.  You go into a Cuban home and see people sitting around a big mound of rice and they’re actually picking the rice out of the gravel.  You don’t have that with Louisiana rice.”

Sides says the White House is taking the right steps but there are still obstacles to overcome.

“It’s unlikely that congress is going to end the embargo.  It’s unlikely that Cuba is going to offer 1.9 billion dollars in reparations in properties that it took when the revolution was going on.”

Although Sides is optimistic about recent policy changes, he feels Louisiana won’t reap the full benefits of restored relations with Cuba until all trade restrictions are lifted.