Search
Close this search box.

Table of Contents

Quantity Supplied



Definition

Quantity supplied refers to the amount of a certain good producers are willing to supply when receiving a certain price. It can change in response to alterations in the price levels of that particular good in an economy. This relationship between quantity supplied and the product’s price is called the supply relationship.

Phonetic

The phonetic pronunciation for “Quantity Supplied” is: Quantity: /ˈkwɑːntɪti/Supplied: /səˈplaɪd/

Key Takeaways

  1. The Quantity Supplied represents the amount of goods or services that producers are willing and able to sell at a certain price. It’s a basic economic principle that is guided by the law of supply.
  2. The Quantity Supplied generally increases as the price of a good or service increases. This is due to the fact that producers have a higher incentive to produce more as they can earn more profit due to the higher price.
  3. Various factors apart from price can influence Quantity Supplied. These include the cost of production, technological advancements, prices of related goods, seller expectations and government policies. Any changes in these factors can lead to a shift in the supply curve reflecting a change in Quantity Supplied.

Importance

Quantity Supplied is a critical concept in business and finance as it determines the specific amount of a particular good or service that producers are willing to supply at a given price. This concept plays a pivotal role in understanding market dynamics and economic principles. It is directly tied to the law of supply, which states that there’s a direct relationship between price and quantity: as the price of an item increases, suppliers are willing to produce more of that item, given that they will receive more revenue from their sales. Hence, understanding the quantity supplied can enable financial analysts, business leaders, and policy makers to anticipate market responses, set appropriate price levels, and make informed decisions for operational and strategic planning.

Explanation

Quantity supplied is an essential concept in the landscape of economics and business, remarkably pertinent to the information of supply and demand dynamics within a market. The core idea is to evaluate how many units of a good or service a producer is willing to supply at a given price. This tool is not only about numbers, but is instrumental in comprehending producer behavior and market movements. It aids in determining the supply curve, a fundamental component of market analysis that depicts the relationship between product price and quantity supplied. The higher the price, the more quantity a producer is likely to supply as it becomes more profitable. Conversely, a lower price will lessen the incentive for production and thus decrease the quantity supplied. Therefore, understanding quantity supplied allows businesses and economists to forecast production decisions and market trends for prudent strategizing and policy-making.

Examples

1. Agricultural Produce: A farmer produces 1000 bushels of wheat per year because he knows that this is the amount he can normally sell at the current market price. This is the quantity supplied by the farmer. If the market price of wheat increases, he may choose to supply more wheat to the market to take advantage of the higher price, thus increasing the quantity supplied. 2. Manufacturing Goods: A car manufacturer may be able to produce 100,000 vehicles each year, given its available resources. If the demand for cars increases or if there is an favorable shift in market prices, the manufacturer may choose to increase production to 120,000 vehicles. This increase is an example of a change in quantity supplied. 3. Retail Industry: A bookstore normally orders 500 copies of a popular novel to sell in a month. If the book suddenly becomes more popular, the bookstore may choose to order an additional 200 copies to meet the increased demand, resulting in an increase in quantity supplied.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

What is Quantity Supplied?
Quantity Supplied is an economic term that refers to the amount of a certain good or service that producers are willing to supply for a certain price.
How does Quantity Supplied impact the market?
Quantity Supplied has a direct impact on the market equilibrium – that is, the point at which the quantity of goods supplied matches the quantity of goods demanded.
Can Quantity Supplied remain constant?
No, quantity supplied fluctuates depending on several factors such as the changes in the cost of production, technological changes, and the price of the good.
How is Quantity Supplied different from Supply?
The supply refers to the entire relationship between the price of the good and the quantity supplied, whereas quantity supplied refers to a specific amount that will be produced at a specific price.
How does a change in price affect the Quantity Supplied?
Typically, if the price of a good increases, then the quantity supplied of that good would also increase, presuming that all other factors remain constant. This is known as the Law of Supply.
What happens when Quantity Supplied is greater than Quantity Demanded?
When Quantity Supplied is greater than Quantity Demanded, it usually leads to a surplus in the market. This might result in lower prices as sellers try to sell their excess supply.
What might cause a decrease in Quantity Supplied?
Numerous factors could cause a decrease in Quantity Supplied, such as a decrease in the selling price, a rise in production costs, or policies or regulations that make production more difficult.

Related Finance Terms

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