Valley farmers and smokers cheer improved Cuban relations

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Central Valley farmers have been hoping to do business with Cuba for a long time.

A photo taken during a trade delegation trip a dozen years ago shows Fresno Congressman Jim Costa, who was then a State Senator, among those giving Cuban premier Fidel Castro a gift, a box of dried fruit from the Central Valley. Now, there's hope Cuba could be a place Valley growers can sell their stuff.

Manuel Cunha said, "Oh I think it could be, I think it could be a sizable market."

Cunha of the Nisei farmers league thinks Cubans could be customers for fruit, nuts, vegetables, wine, dairy and meat products from the valley. Giving growers and producers one more world market.

"When you add the list of 34 countries, now we've got 35 countries, so to me that's a benefit," added Cunha.

And Cuba has something many American's want, and that's cigars. Thanks to the president, cigar lovers will be able to buy them legally.

Moses Soza said, "You finally get the chance to get the real deal which is pretty cool, get you chance to get your hands on some authentics and enjoy them."

Soza owns the Cigar Mas Fino shop in Northeast Fresno. He says customers want them, and he hopes to be able to sell Cuban cigars soon.

"That's the only thing missing in the humidor is Cuban cigars and that would be a nice treat for all of our customers and cigar smokers in general," said Soza.

That is still down the road. The President's action does not end the trade embargo but does allow Americans who visit Cuba to bring back $100 worth of cigars.

Cigar lover Jerry Duncan predicts a boom in travel. "I think you are going to see a lot more Cuban tourism from the United States that includes a lot of cigar smokers because they've got money and they like good cigars."

Fidel Castro is said to have quit smoking cigars, for health reasons, but someone who was there when this picture was taken noted he wasted no time in eating the good dried fruit from California.