Question 1 Report
A coffee-growing region experiences a severe frost. Many coffee plants are damaged, so local firms have less coffee available for export. Global demand for coffee is unchanged.
(a) Which curve shifts because of the frost? [1]
(b) Explain the likely effect on the market equilibrium price of coffee. [2]
(c) State one group that may benefit from the higher price. [1]
(a) The supply curve shifts left. Frost damages coffee plants, reducing the amount producers can offer for sale at each price. [1]
(b) Supply decreases but global demand is unchanged. [1] At the previous equilibrium price there is excess demand, or a shortage, so buyers compete for fewer available coffee beans. This puts upward pressure on the equilibrium price, which rises. [1]
(c) Coffee growers or coffee firms that still have coffee available to sell may benefit because they receive a higher price per unit. [1]
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