Question

How might the price of corn affect the supply of wheat?

Short answer

An increase in the price of corn, considered a substitute good for wheat, could potentially increase the supply of wheat due to an increase in demand. However, if corn and wheat compete for the same resources in production, the effect might be different, potentially decreasing the supply of wheat.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the concept of substitute goods

Substitute goods are a pair of goods that consumers consider similar or comparable, so that purchasing one good (corn, in this case) makes them less likely to buy the other (wheat). If the price of corn increases, consumers may switch to wheat, increasing the demand for wheat.

Apply the law of supply

The law of supply states that, all else equal, an increase in price results in an increase in quantity supplied. So, with the increase in wheat demand (from Step 1), suppliers might be inclined to increase the production of wheat to meet the new demand and take advantage of the increased price they can charge.

Conclusion

Therefore, if the price of corn increases, it could lead to an increase in the supply of wheat, as wheat producers respond to increased demand from consumers who switch from corn to wheat due to the higher corn prices. This, however, assumes that corn and wheat are substitutes in consumption and that they do not compete for the same resources in production. If they do compete for the same resources (like agricultural land or labor), the effect might be different. If corn prices are high, farmers might choose to plant more corn and less wheat, decreasing the supply of wheat.