Pork exports from the U.S. increased by 12% in tonnage and 18% in value for 2000 as compared to 1999 according to data collected by the United States Department of Agriculture. Joel Van Gilst of Oskaloosa who serves as the President of the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) stated, "The top three markets for U.S. pork are Japan, Mexico and Canada. Most of the U.S. pork is purchased by overseas processors, who appreciate the safety and consistency of our product."

Modern packaging processes, high levels of hygiene in U.S. pork plants and containerized shipping from the plants to export customers have allowed U.S. pork to be priced competitively. Van Gilst said, "Pork from Iowa can be shipped as fresh chilled pork by ocean freight to the Asian market. The pork has a shelf life that allows it to be served as fresh pork on the table of Asian consumers." When chilled pork is placed in a refrigerated freight container in Iowa, it usually does not leave the container until it reaches the meat company in Asia.

To help illustrate the changes in pork exports over the past ten years the following data was collected. In 1991 the U.S exported 181,361 metric tons of pork valued at $405 million. In 2000 the U.S. exported 566,895 metric tons of pork valued at $1.315 billion. Trying to determine the exact quantity of pork exported from Iowa is difficult to calculate. One estimate is that 35% of U.S pork exports are from Iowa. When using the 35% estimate, Iowa exported 64,476 metric tons of pork valued at nearly $142 million in 1991. In 2000 Iowa exported 198,413 metric tons valued $460 million which is more than the U.S. total in 1991.

Tim Bierman of Larrabee who serves as Chair of the IPPA's Foreign Market Development Committee observed, "Three large meat companies in Japan have a physical presence in Iowa to help source their pork. Additionally, companies from other countries are also establishing a presence in Iowa. Several trade teams from other countries are hosted by the IPPA annually."