Pork prices in South Korea fell this week amid growing concerns over swine flu spread, the South Korean government said on Tuesday.

According to the Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the price for a 110-kg pig fell to 352,000 won (US$260) on Monday, down 19,000 won (US$14) from last weekend.

The Korea Swine Association also confirmed that outbreak had an influence on pork prices, saying 1 kg of bone-in meat dropped to 4,663 won (US$3.4), down 260 won (US$0.2) from late last week.

"Prices have been falling steadily since the middle of the month, but the recent drop can be attributed to wholesalers in the industry bracing for a possible drop in demand," an official was quoted as saying by local media.

According to meat industry insiders, if strengthened quarantine measures are being taken around the world and South Korea succeed in limiting new cases of human infections, pork prices may quickly make an upturn.

Earlier in the day, South Korea's health officials reported a suspected case of a swine flu patient for the first time in the country, whom later found to be carrying the type-A influenza.