Market Power in the Corn Sector: How Does It Affect the Impacts of the Ethanol Subsidy?

Market power is discussed in debates about subsidies for ethanol production. The structural conditions in the corn industry create a case for concerns about market power. We develop an analytical model for determining the production and price impacts and the distribution of benefits from the U.S. et...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Tina L. Saitone, Richard J. Sexton, Steven E. Sexton
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Western Agricultural Economics Association 2008-08-01
Series:Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://ageconsearch.umn.edu/record/42457
Description
Summary:Market power is discussed in debates about subsidies for ethanol production. The structural conditions in the corn industry create a case for concerns about market power. We develop an analytical model for determining the production and price impacts and the distribution of benefits from the U.S. ethanol subsidy when upstream sellers in the seed sector and downstream buyers in the processing sector may exercise market power. Results demonstrate that the impacts on prices and output are probably limited. Distribution impacts are much greater. Seed producers and corn processors with market power capture relatively large shares of subsidy benefits.
ISSN:1068-5502
2327-8285