Bloomington, May 12 (RHC) -- The Association of Illinois Corn Growers wants U.S. President Barack Obama to expand trade opportunities between Washington and Havana.

In a statement, the organization, based in Bloomington in the U.S. State of Illinois, says that the location of Cuba represents a "great opportunity to food and consumer producers in Illinois," adding that this is due to the fact that the country is located very close to the commercial ports of the southern United States.

But corn producers say federal restrictions on financial transactions with Cuba make doing business difficult. The association's president Gary Hudson says Illinois is the sixth state in the country that lost the most business opportunities due to financial and travel restrictions.

The group, which is part of the Working Group Cuba-Illinois, also called on Obama to set up an office to facilitate agricultural trade with Cuba.