Agricultural Markets

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In agricultural markets the prices are most often set by the forces of supply and demand. also in these markets there is the most government intervention. This is because:

  • agricultural prices are subject to considerable fluctuations- this can cause high prices or low wages for farmers.
  • low incomes of farmers
  • protection of traditional rural ways
  • competition from abroad; therefore the government need to intervine to keep farms in uk in business.

Reasons for large price fluctuations are;

  • inelastic supply- it's difficult to expand production of foodstuffs in the short run.
  • supply fluctuations- harvests are unpredictable.
  • inelastic demand-foodstuffs tend to be inelastic because many are considered basic needs, there are no close substitutes and they account for a small proportion of people's incomes.



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