Introduction to supply




Definition
Supply refers the amount of goods and services producers are willing and able to supply at a given price.

Law of supply
Law of supply states that assuming Ceteris Peribus, more will be supplied at higher price. Therefore between quantity supplied and price, there is a positive relationship.

The supply curve
The supply curve is an upward sloping curve which represents the producers willingness and ability to supply a good.


Upward sloping supply curve does not apply. For e.g. too much of what is produced by government
As shown supply curve is upward sloping. This positive slope between market price and quantity supplied are for three reasons:
·  Profit Motive:When the prices increases (for example a rise in market demand), it becomes more profitable for business to increase their output. Hence for example the higher price signals the producers to increase the output since the scope of their profit has risen.
·  Production and cost:When the production of a firm increases, the required cost of production increases as well. Therefore a higher price is needed to justify the extra cost business faces.
·   New entrants coming into the market:The higher prices will attract new entrants to enter into the market causing the supply to increase.

Movement along the supply curve and movement of supply curve
Movement along the supply curve refers to change in quantity demanded when the market price changes. It can be in the form of expansion of supply – increasing quantity supplied when price increases or contraction of supply – fall in quantity supplied as a result of price decline.                    





Movement of supply curve refer to shift of supply curve . A supply curve can shift to right (increasing supply or to left (reduction in supply)





Factors that cause shift of supply
Changes in cost of production: When cost of production reduces more of the good can be supplied at a lower  price. Any direct or indirect affect to cost of production can affect the supply.
Changes in production technology: When technology improves it increase the supply of goods and services because it mean more can be produced using the resources
The Price of other goods:When there is change in price of other goods it affect the supply of particular good.
                        Example: if the price of beef rise there will be rise in demand of beef and more cows will be slaughtered which increase the leather supply
Other Changes :
1)Govt. Legislation
2)Weather
3)Expectation of future events