Additional Application
The 2005-2006 Florida citrus harvest has been tallied and is over $1 billion. This is the
highest dollar amount since the 1999-2000 season. This year’s production was 3%
greater than last year, which was dramatically reduced due to three hurricanes that
struck the state last year. While the overall production increase was relatively small, the
prices for all types of citrus increased significantly. On the wholesale level oranges
alone realized a 56% price increase over the previous year after experiencing a 1.3%
decrease from last year. One explanation of this increase was Hurricane Wilma striking
Florida in October 2005 and causing a reduction in this year’s supply of citrus. The
higher citrus prices this year resulted in a 38% increase in revenues to growers over the
previous year.
How can the increased revenues to the citrus producers be explained? The law of
demand states if the price increases, the quantity demanded decreases. The concept of
price elasticity of demand explains that the percentage decrease in quantity demanded
may be greater than or less than the percentage increase in price. Is the demand for
citrus elastic or inelastic?
“States citrus crop tops $1 billion for first time in six years.” September 22, 2006.
palmbeachpost.com. Retrieved October 3, 2006, from http://www.palmbeachpost.com
Suppose the revenues from citrus increased by 38% and the price increased by 56%.
Calculate the percentage change in quantity demanded.
A) 68%
B) 21%
C) -21%
D) -68%
Which of the following is a way of controlling the quantity of a particular product?
A) rent control