Pork prices around the world will rise as the outbreak of the deadly virus sweeps China and neighboring countries, causing the need to cull millions of animals.

According to the European Commission, the average price of pork in the European Union rose by about 20 percent compared to the same price last year.

Consumer prices for bacon, sausages and other pork products in the UK have not yet begun to rise, but they are expected to rise as the crisis grows and the summer barbecue season increases demand.

British pork producers say stockpiling until March 29, the day Britain was due to leave the European Union, also helped keep prices stable in the country.

Zoe Davies, executive director of the National Pig Association, said the price increase in Europe was driven by demand from China, which, before the outbreak of African swine fever, was home to half of the world's pig population.

“Exports from the EU to China have risen sharply. So far, China has lost about 20 percent of its breeding herd, ”she said.

Richard Brown, director of industry analyst at Gira, said African swine fever will have as much impact on the global meat industry as Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE).