What is the effect of a minimum price on the market?

• A. It can lead to a shortage if below the equilibrium price
• B. It always increases demand for goods
• C. It can lead to a surplus if above the equilibrium price
• D. It has no effect on supply or demand

Answer: (C)

A minimum price, when set above the equilibrium price, creates a situation where the price is artificially elevated. At this higher price, suppliers are generally incentivized to increase production because they can earn more per unit sold. However, this elevated price tends to discourage consumers from purchasing as much of the good, as the higher cost can lead to decreased demand.

As a result, the quantity supplied exceeds the quantity demanded, leading to a surplus in the market. This surplus represents an excess of goods that consumers are unwilling or unable to buy at the set minimum price. Thus, the correct answer highlights the fundamental interaction between pricing mechanisms and market equilibrium, illustrating how minimum price regulations can distort the natural balance of supply and demand.