ELASTICITY OF SUPPLY AND THE INCENTIVE FOR COLLUSIVE BUYING

A model is developed to show how changes in the elasticity of the supply function at the farm level offset increased levels of buyer (processor) concentration such that given percentage increases in demand by large buyers result in the same, or smaller, percentage price changes than do increases in demand on the part of small buyers. Since the incentive for collusive buying is a function of the potential price increases which follow demand increases, there may be little incentive for buyers to collude even if they are highly concentrated.     

Asymmetry in beef,lamb and pork farm-retail price transmission in Australia

The hypothesis of asymmetry in price transmission within the Australian meat market is tested using monthly data for beef, lamb and pork prices at different market levels over the period 1971–1988. The results indicate that asymmetrical price response is a strategy used by beef and lamb retailers and wholesalers to adjust to changing input prices, but not by pork retailers and wholesalers. This difference is perhaps unexpected given the similarity in behaviours relating to price levelling in this market, the high cross-price elasticities of demand between these meats, and the relatively greater degree of concentration in the pork market.