year-old trade embargo against the communist-run Caribbean island, expelled 19 Cuban diplomats and suspended biannual immigration talks, even as the food trade has grown. Both Alvarez and Dairy America President Keith Murfield said they hoped trade would continue in a positive direction because it was in the interest of both countries, but Alvarez warned new sanctions would result in reduced Cuban purchases. "If restrictions are tightened, trade would be dramatically reduced," Alvarez said. Around 90 percent of Cuban purchases have been for grains, cereal and poultry from a dozen U.S. companies such as Illinois-based Archer Daniels Midland Co., Minnesota-based Cargill and Iowa-based FC Stone, though more than 120 smaller companies have participated. Cuba imported $1.3 billion of food products last year, including $120 million for 55,000 to 60,000 tonnes of powdered milk, Alvarez said, adding that just 17,500 tonnes of it came from the United States. --SP 2347 Local Time 2047 GMT
