Havana, Aug, 14 - U.S. food sales to Cuba fell by 15 percent in the first half of 2009 from a year ago to $302 million as the cash-strapped communist-led island cut imports amid an economic crisis, a trade group said Thursday.
U.S. food exports to Cuba fell to $23.6 million in June from $45.3 million the previous month, according to figures released by the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, a New York-based group monitoring trade between the two countries.
Cuba imports about 60 percent of its food, and despite political tensions the United States has been its main provider for years.
The Caribbean island has seen its foreign reserves dry up after a sharp fall in revenues from nickel exports and tourism. President Raul Castro warned earlier this month the country has been forced to reschedule debt and payments to foreign providers.
U.S. food sales to Cuba reached $355.7 million for the first six months of 2008 and $710 million for the full year, a record high since an amendment to the U.S. trade embargo authorized cash-only exports to Cuba in 2000.
That record figure was due in part to a 61 percent increase in the dollar value of food products, according to the council, which uses Cuban official figures.
Cuba must pay in cash and before delivery. The Cuban government blames such trade restrictions for many of its economic problems.
U.S. exports to Cuba include products such as corn, wheat, chicken, soybeans and powdered milk.