JAMB - Economics (2024 - No. 33)

A price floor is usually fixed
above the equilibrium and causes surpluses
below the equilibrium and causes surpluses
above the equilibrium and causes shortage
at the equilibrium and causes no shortage

Explanation

A price floor is typically fixed above the equilibrium price. By setting the price floor higher than the equilibrium, it creates a surplus or excess supply in the market. Producers are incentivized to increase their supply at the higher price, but consumers demand less at the inflated price. As a result, there is an imbalance in the market with a surplus of the product.
The presence of surpluses created by the price floor can lead to various issues such as increased storage costs, wasted resources, and potential government interventions to address the surplus.

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