Concerning supply costs, if any agricultural products are required, a hard frost can devastate crops and do what to costs?
A. Cut them in half
B. Decrease them
C. Keep them steady
D. Increase them
D. Increase them
A hard frost can increase supply costs for agricultural products.
A hard frost can increase the costs of agricultural products. To understand why, let's break down the question and think critically about it:
1. What is a hard frost?
A hard frost refers to a severe freezing temperature that occurs overnight, typically below 28°F (-2°C). It can be damaging to crops as it can freeze and damage the plants, causing significant losses.
2. How does a hard frost affect crops?
A hard frost can be devastating for crops because it can damage or kill the plants. Frost causes water in plant cells to freeze, leading to the formation of ice crystals that can rupture cell walls. This damage impairs the plant's ability to carry out photosynthesis and can lead to plant death or reduced yield.
3. How does crop damage relate to supply costs?
When crops are damaged or destroyed due to a hard frost, it affects the overall supply of agricultural products. The supply of crops decreases because there is less produce available for sale in the market.
4. What happens to costs when the supply of agricultural products decreases?
According to the economic principle of supply and demand, when the supply of a product decreases while demand remains constant or even increases, the prices tend to rise. This is because there is less availability of the product, and sellers can charge higher prices to maximize their profits.
So, based on this analysis, the correct answer is D. A hard frost can increase the costs of agricultural products. Crop damage caused by a hard frost reduces the supply of crops, leading to higher prices for agricultural products.