837.613/45
The Ambassador in Cuba (Braden) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 12.]
Sir: I have the honor to transmit three signed copies of a contract67 executed today on behalf of the Commodity Credit Corporation and the Cuban Ministry of Agriculture for the purchase of export surplus peanuts.
Although the contract is executed by the Minister of Agriculture, the Ministry does not have facilities for actually purchasing the peanuts and paying the growers for them, transporting them to Habana, and shelling them for delivery f. a. s. vessel for export. Therefore, the contract provides that the Minister may appoint agents to perform these operations for the Ministry. Two leading vegetable oil crushers, Sabates, S. A., and Hershey Corporation, also have signed agreements with the Ministry to act as agents to perform these functions.
Although Cuba’s peanut production this year is approximately double that of last year, production is still slightly below the capacity of Cuban oil crushers and, therefore, no export surplus from the 1943 crop is anticipated. The contract contains an option under which the purchase program may be continued to cover the 1944 crop.
Respectfully yours,
Agricultural Attaché
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