South Africa has had to reduce their export supply of avocados due to market disruption, poor weather conditions and a shortage of delivery
drivers. Experts are expecting to send 14 million cartons overseas, down from 18.5 million cartons.
Questions 1. In which direction will the supply curve for avocados shift?
2. Draw a supply curve illustrating the shift in supply. 3. What are the factors that affect supply?
3.2 Supply curve shifts to the left Decrease in supply, price remains the same.
In the diagram below, the supply curve has shifted left from S1 to S3. Price has remained at €50 but quantity supplied has decreased from 100 units to 50 units.
This might be caused by the following:
• Cost of production: The cost of making the product or providing the service may have increased which means the good/service is less profitable at the same price. The supplier will supply less of it. Example: The price of flour has increased. Deirdre will now produce less doughnuts.
• New technology: The initial cost of new technology is very high and so will decrease the profits made by the seller. They will sell less at this time. Example: Deirdre’s investment in new ovens with built-in technology was very expensive and increased the cost of production, forcing her to reduce supply.