The report by Rabobank analyst Angus Gidley-Baird said the swine fever was expected to reduce China’s pork consumption and increase its consumption of other animal proteins such as beef, mutton, eggs, poultry and seafood.

“Although beef is not a major substitute for pork, the pork supply shortage in China will likely also push up beef consumption,” Mr Gidley-Baird said. 

He said depending on how pork production and prices develop, there could be increased demand from China for beef imports over the coming months.

However lower cattle slaughter numbers in Australia due to the smaller national cattle herd could cut export volumes next year, he said.