Texas trade mission heading to Cuba in late May

"Texas has been active in the past in trade with Cuba," he said. "But there is a lot of potential and we want to try and take advantage of that potential. While it varied year to year, there is probably a potential of $300 million to $350 million in any particular year."

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy imposed a trade embargo on Cuba. However, in October 2000, Congress authorized trade exceptions for United States food commodities and medical supplies. Since then, at least 25 states have sent trade missions, with California and New York officials each sending their first missions earlier this year.

Rosson believes Texas could be in line for between $120 million and $130 million of that trade potential, once it catches up with other states. Cuba imported nearly $330 million in 2006 from the United States, whose producers accounted for 32 percent of the island nation's agricultural imports. Texas sent $95 million in farm commodities to Cuba through its ports in 2007, including commodities from other states.

"In the last couple of years we have moved more towards bulk commodities, such as corn and wheat," he said. "There's also probably some potential in the tourist industry for the sale of beef products. We have not, as a country, moved much in the way of beef there, but we're approved to do so, and we'd like to take advantage of those opportunities."

Rosson said there is a strong history of Texas products being sold in Cuba before the embargo, which he believes could be revived.

"Many Cubans remember Texas products being quite prominent before the embargo," he said. "So when we go there - and in the years when they can come here - we have a very good interaction with them. I think they are eager to purchase Texas products."

He said there is a growing tourist industry in Cuba that may be one of the major market openings, with the sale of processed foods, including pork and chicken, as well as things like bottled water, catsup, mustard and specialty drinks.

"It is only 900 miles between Houston and Havana but for several decades it might well have been a million miles," Commissioner Staples said. "This is a great occasion for two nations to work together to improve relations and what better way to do that than through food."