Warrnambool-based meat buyer Carey Hackett said the price of some mutton had increased between 40 and 50 cents in the past two weeks, and a spike in demand could be linked to the outbreak.

"I think it's a knee-jerk reaction. All these pigs have been killed and they have to replace the meat with other meat and that other meat is the mutton at the moment," Mr Hackett said.

"They might also get it from other sources and other countries, but if they want to get meat from Australia it will have a ripple effect and be good for farmers."

African swine fever has affected swine in parts of Asia, Europe and Africa and has been estimated to kill up to 25 per cent of the world's pigs. Agents say that could cause increased demand for other meats.

But Warrnambool Stock Agents Association president Anthony Mahony said the district's beef industry had a "wait and see approach" to any price hikes.

"You would think that it will have a flow-on affect particularly to the sheep and lamb industry but also the cattle industry," Mr Mahony said. "As far as the cattle goes, we haven't seen anything happen just yet."

Warrnambool Country Meats owner David Weise said the cost of his Victorian-sourced pork in store had risen, but he was not anticipating overall meat prices to soar.

"Prices of pork have gone up $1 or $2 a kilo for customers, but if the wholesale price continues to increase then it could keep going up," Mr Weise said.

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