HOG prices in China marched to their highest in 14 months Monday and look set to keep rising after weeks of gains, analysts and producers said, as a disease outbreak to hit the country’s vast pig herd in years chops supply.

Live hog prices in major consumption and production areas rose 7 percent on average Monday compared with last Friday to 15.09 yuan (US$2.24) per kilogram, according to data provided by consultancy China-America Commodity Data Analytics. Even though demand is typically weak at this time of year, prices across the country surged almost 20 percent since early March.

The surge comes with a months-long outbreak of African swine fever having spread to 111 confirmed cases in 28 provinces and regions across the country. About 1 million pigs have been culled so far in an effort to try to control the spread.

“The main reason (for rising prices) is there are fewer pigs,” said Yao Guiling, analyst with China-America Commodity Data Analytics. Some farmers are also reluctant to sell now, she said, anticipating further tightening of supplies and higher profits in coming weeks.

China’s pig herd fell 13 percent in January compared with the same month a year earlier, while the number of breeding sows was down 15 percent from the previous year, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.(SD-Agencies)