Much of the demand for U.S. agricultural output has come from other countries. In 1998, the total demand for wheat was Q=3244-283P. Of this, total domestic demand was Qd=1700-107P, and domestic supply was Qs=1944+207P. Suppose the export demand for wheat falls by 40 percent.

a. U.S. farmers are concerned about this drop in export demand. What happens to the free-market price of wheat in the United States? Do farmers have much reason to worry?

b. Now suppose the U.S government wants to buy enough wheat to raise the price to $3.50 per bushel. With the drop in export demand, how much wheat would the government have to buy? How much would this cost the government? Please do this step by step so I can understand how to solve this.

Respuesta :

Solution:

a) In equilibrium , Q = 3244-283 P

                          Qs=1944+207 P

                     Q = Qs

    3244-283 P = 1944+207 P

    P = $2.65

Export demand = Total demand - Domestic dd

                          = 1544 - 176 P

Its given that export demand for wheat falls by 40% , so the new export demand is 0.6 [ 1544 - 176 P ] .

Total demand = Export dd + Domestic dd

                       = 2626.4 - 212.6 P

To find equilibrium ,

Total demand = Total supply

2626.4 - 212.6 P = 1944+207 P

P = $ 1.63

Q = 2280.65

Yes , Farmers will worry because of fall in price.

b) When P = $3.5

    Qp = 2626.4 - 212.6 ( 3.5 )

    Qp = 1882.3

    Qs = 2668.5

            Excess supply = Qs - Qp

                                      = 2668.5 - 1882.3

                                      = 786.2 Million Business

If U.S government gives a price of $3.5

Total spending = 3.5(786.2)

                         = $2751.7 Million