The commodity price of pigs and pork has fallen, as traders fear demand for pork will fall following the outbreak of swine flu.
Despite there being no link between pork consumption and the spread of the virus, the price of both commodities fell by an average of 7% on global commodities markets yesterday.
Russia and China have both imposed import bans on live pigs and pork products.
“It’s a rough time for pork producers,” Ronald Plain, professor of agricultural economics at the University of Missouri, told the Financial Times. “You do not get influenza by eating pork. I am surprised by the futures market reaction.”