International trade in pork has risen significantly in recent years. Exports of the major pork exporting countries grew at an annual rate of 4 percent during 1989-97 as a result of bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, income growth, and technological innovations in transport and shelf-life extension. There is little doubt that as incomes continue to grow, markets continue to liberalize, and science finds new ways to extend the shelf life of fresh meat over longer periods, international trade in pork will increase further. USDAa