In New Zealand, cheap imported pork will soon be a thing of the past and prices will rise by more than 25 percent next month.

In recent years, pork has been the cheapest red meat in New Zealand stores. The current weighted average price for pigs in New Zealand is US $ 3.70 per kilogram, compared to US $ 5.50 per kg of beef and US $ 7.50 per kg of lamb.

Higher prices are the result of the spread of African swine fever, destroying the Chinese pig industry. And currently, China is forced to import pork from countries that have traditionally shipped this product to New Zealand, including the United States and Canada.

Healy's Meats CEO Jonathan Burton said the situation is only going to get worse and prices could rise by more than 25 percent. Burton suggested that the pork deficit would continue for at least two years, and even then prices would remain higher than at present.

Now more than 60 percent of pork consumed in New Zealand is imported from more than 25 countries, including China, Poland and Belgium, countries where ASF outbreaks are recorded. The New Zealand pig industry is concerned about the threat ASF poses to local industry.

Earlier this year, Australian authorities have already stopped the illegal import of pork at the border and at posts. About 15 percent of imported foods were infected with African swine fever.