Markkinakattaus

Markkinakattaus is a Finnish term used in economics to describe the state or process by which the quantity of goods or services demanded matches the quantity supplied in a market. In its classic form, it refers to market clearing, where the prevailing price adjusts to bring about an equilibrium price and an efficient allocation of resources. The concept rests on the idea that buyers’ willingness to pay and sellers’ willingness to accept determine the trades that occur.

The mechanism operates through price signals. When demand exceeds supply at a given price, competition among buyers tends to push prices up, encouraging more production and reducing demand, until the market clears. Conversely, if supply exceeds demand, prices fall, stimulating demand and trimming supply. In real markets, perfect equilibrium is often not achieved instantly due to frictions such as information asymmetries, transaction costs, price rigidity, and capacity constraints. In some cases, non-price mechanisms like rationing or quotas may temporarily balance demand and supply.

Markkinakattaus is relevant across various contexts, including goods markets, labor markets, financial markets, and energy markets. It is also used in procurement and retail planning to assess how well available stock and capacity cover expected demand. Analysts measure indicators such as price levels, traded quantities, and residual demand or supply to gauge closeness to equilibrium. While the concept provides a useful framework for understanding market interactions, real-world markets frequently display departures from perfect balance.