CUBA: U.S. Food Sales Drop 35% As Cash-Strapped Isla Credit Shops.

REUTERS/        U.S. farmers hoping for increased exports to Cuba got grim news. Food sales to the island fell by 35% from January through May vs the same period in 2009. Because of strict U.S. payment regulations, cash-strapped Cuba appears to be credit-hopping, buying from countries like Brasil, France, Canada, Russia and China where it can purchase food on credit and delay payments. Cuba imports almost 60% of its food. For many years, the U.S. has been the island's main provider, despite an embargo.