SHANGHAI: The spread of A (H1N1) influenza virus, which was initially known as swine flu, might help accelerate the debut of China's hog futures market, some industry observers said.

The outbreak of the epidemic flu has resulted in a big drop in hog prices during the past week.

"The launch of livestock futures may help to lock in the price of the product, and protect hog breeders and processors from drastic price swings," said Feng Yonghui, chief analyst from AND Group, a Beijing-based agriculture service provider.