In: Economics
The US is Australia’s major export market for beef. Suppose that the mad cow disease hits the US and causes a shortfall in US beef production. Using a three-panel diagram, explain the effect of the mad cow disease on the US’s and the world’s beef market. (Hint: Consider the US as a large country in this case). (10 pts.)
When the supply decreases, accompanied by no change in demand, there is a leftward shift of the supply curve. As supply decreases, a condition of excess demand is created at the old equilibrium level. Effectively there is increased competition among the buyers, which obviously leads to a rise in the price.
An increase in price is accompanied by a decrease in demand and an increase in supply. This continues until a new equilibrium level is attained. Further, there is a rise in equilibrium price but a fall in equilibrium quantity.