Spanish explorer who became the first European to cross the Mississippi River brought 13 pigs from Cuba to Tampa Bay in 1539. Three years later, his herd had grown to 700, and its spread helped turn America into a pork-producing giant

Hernando de Soto's arrival in Florida in 1539 marked the beginning of a revolution in agriculture as he brought along thirteen pigs. These pigs thrived, escaping captivity and forming wild populations across the continent. This significant introduction laid the foundation for a booming agricultural sector, paving the way for pork to emerge as a prominent global export for the United States.

Raccontata daeconomictimes.indiatimes.com