Search
Close this search box.

Table of Contents

Joint Supply



Definition

Joint supply refers to a situation in the economic market where the production of one good inherently results in the production of another good. These goods are called joint products, often seen in industries like agriculture or extraction where multiple usable products result from a single process. An increase or decrease in the production of one good consequently affects the other.

Phonetic

The phonetic pronunciation of “Joint Supply” is: jɔɪnt səˈplʌɪ

Key Takeaways

  1. Joint Supply: This is a situation in economics where the production or supply of one good automatically produces or supplies another product. Joint supply occurs when goods are produced together in a fixed proportion, making them inseparable during the process of production.
  2. Complementary Nature of Products: In joint supply, the goods produced are often complementary to one another, meaning both products derive their value from each other. For example, the production of beef also results in the production of hides which can be used to make leather products.
  3. Influence on Pricing: With joint supply, the price of one product can directly affect the other. If the demand for one product increases, the price of both products might increase due to the increased cost of production. Similarly, if the demand for one product drops, it could lead to an oversupply of both products since they are produced together, possibly leading to a price drop.

Importance

Joint supply is a crucial business/finance term as it refers to a situation where a single process produces multiple products simultaneously. This concept is significant for a variety of reasons. In terms of business strategy and operations, understanding joint supply helps companies optimize their production processes and find efficiencies by producing multiple products from a single supply or process. It can lead to cost savings and increased profitability, especially in businesses like agriculture, mining, or petrochemicals where several goods are derived from a single production process. Meanwhile, on the finance side, comprehending joint supply can play a role in the valuation of businesses that rely on this kind of production process. This element can potentially impact investment decisions and financial forecasting.

Explanation

Joint Supply refers to a situation in the field of economics where the production of one good inevitably leads to the production of another good. This concept plays a crucial role particularly in the manufacturing and agricultural sectors. For example, the meat industry often demonstrates a joint supply situation, as the production of beef simultaneously results in the production of hide, which can in turn be used for leather manufacturing. Thus, joint supply encourages businesses to diversify their products and capitalize on a wider range of revenue streams – often leading to more sustainable business models. From the perspective of a business, understanding and leveraging joint supply can be a strategic approach for cost management and maximizing profits. For instance, if the production of one commodity results in the production of another, companies are often able to distribute fixed overhead costs across a larger quantity of goods. This can lower the cost per unit and potentially improve profitability, provided there is sufficient market demand for both products. The concept of joint supply also promotes efficient use of resources, minimizes waste, and reduces the potential environmental impact of production processes. It serves as a major driving force for innovation in industries where companies are constantly seeking ways to optimally utilize and benefit from their joint supply goods.

Examples

Joint supply in economics refers to a situation where the production of one good leads to the production of other related goods. These connected goods are known as joint products. 1. Agriculture: A common and clear example of joint supply can be found in the agriculture industry. For instance, when a farmer breeds cows, he can produce both milk and beef at the same time. The cow’s hide can also be used for leather production. So, the supply of milk, beef, and leather are all jointly interlinked. 2. Petroleum industry: Oil refining process creates multiple outputs such as gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil, jet fuel, and lubricating oils. The production of all these products is interlinked; when crude oil is refined, all are produced simultaneously. 3. Brewing Industry: Another good example can be seen in the beer brewing industry. The brewing process consumes barley malt to produce beer. However, the process also results in the production of brewer’s yeast and draff. Brewer’s yeast can be used in baking or as a nutritional supplement while draff can be used for animal feed.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

What is Joint Supply and Goods in the context of finance and business?
Joint Supply and Goods refer to the economic scenario where a single production process yields multiple products simultaneously. An example would be a cow yielding meat, leather, and milk, or petroleum yielding gasoline, kerosene, and diesel.
What implications does Joint Supply have in business?
As one product’s supply directly affects others, the business needs to manage these interconnected supplies effectively. It may influence pricing, production strategies, and inventory management decisions.
How does Joint Supply relate to price relationships?
With Joint Supply, the price of one product can affect the price of the jointly supplied products. If the demand for one product increases, its price may rise, impacting the price of the other products due to the shared supply costs.
Can products in Joint Supply be produced separately?
No, products in Joint Supply are produced simultaneously from a single production process. They cannot be separated without changing the overall production process.
How does Joint Supply affect a company’s production strategy?
In Joint Supply, the production output must be balanced across the jointly produced goods. Therefore, companies often need to consider market demand for each product and might need to adjust their production strategy accordingly.
What are some challenges businesses face with Joint Supply?
The main challenge is demand variations. If the demand for one product falls and others rise, it can be difficult to adjust production. Also, overproduction of one product could lead to waste or increased storage costs.
Are there companies or industries where Joint Supply is more common?
Yes, Joint Supply is common in industries such as agriculture, petroleum, livestock, and logging, where a single process leads to multiple outputs.
How does Joint Supply relate to cost allocation?
Allocating costs in Joint Supply can be complex because shared costs must be allocated to multiple products. It’s a significant accounting challenge to determine the cost of each individual product.
Can a company benefit from a Joint Supply situation?
Yes, Joint Supply can indeed be beneficial. Expanding sales over several products can help spread risk. Also, if the company can find innovative uses for goods in lower demand, they can potentially turn them into profitable outputs.
: What is the effect of technological changes on Joint Supply?
Technological advancement can enable businesses to adjust the ratios of jointly produced goods or find new ways to utilize by-products, making the Joint Supply situation more flexible and profitable.

Related Finance Terms

  • Complementary Goods
  • Cost Function
  • Derived Demand
  • Multiple Products
  • Production Technology

Sources for More Information


About Our Editorial Process

At Due, we are dedicated to providing simple money and retirement advice that can make a big impact in your life. Our team closely follows market shifts and deeply understands how to build REAL wealth. All of our articles undergo thorough editing and review by financial experts, ensuring you get reliable and credible money advice.

We partner with leading publications, such as Nasdaq, The Globe and Mail, Entrepreneur, and more, to provide insights on retirement, current markets, and more.

We also host a financial glossary of over 7000 money/investing terms to help you learn more about how to take control of your finances.

View our editorial process

About Our Journalists

Our journalists are not just trusted, certified financial advisers. They are experienced and leading influencers in the financial realm, trusted by millions to provide advice about money. We handpick the best of the best, so you get advice from real experts. Our goal is to educate and inform, NOT to be a ‘stock-picker’ or ‘market-caller.’ 

Why listen to what we have to say?

While Due does not know how to predict the market in the short-term, our team of experts DOES know how you can make smart financial decisions to plan for retirement in the long-term.

View our expert review board

About Due

Due makes it easier to retire on your terms. We give you a realistic view on exactly where you’re at financially so when you retire you know how much money you’ll get each month. Get started today.

Due Fact-Checking Standards and Processes

To ensure we’re putting out the highest content standards, we sought out the help of certified financial experts and accredited individuals to verify our advice. We also rely on them for the most up to date information and data to make sure our in-depth research has the facts right, for today… Not yesterday. Our financial expert review board allows our readers to not only trust the information they are reading but to act on it as well. Most of our authors are CFP (Certified Financial Planners) or CRPC (Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor) certified and all have college degrees. Learn more about annuities, retirement advice and take the correct steps towards financial freedom and knowing exactly where you stand today. Learn everything about our top-notch financial expert reviews below… Learn More