Vähimmäishintavaatimukset

Vähimmäishintavaatimukset, known in English as minimum price requirements or floor prices, are economic regulations that set a lowest acceptable price for a good or service. These requirements are typically established by governments or industry bodies to achieve specific economic or social objectives. A primary reason for implementing minimum price requirements is to protect producers from excessively low prices that could lead to financial instability or market collapse. This is often seen in agricultural markets, where governments may set minimum prices for commodities like milk or grain to ensure farmers can cover their production costs and maintain a viable livelihood.

Another objective can be to influence consumer behavior or to generate revenue. For instance, a minimum price on certain goods like tobacco or alcohol can act as a disincentive for consumption, while also contributing to government tax revenue. In some cases, minimum price requirements can be used to ensure a certain quality standard or to prevent predatory pricing, where a dominant firm intentionally sets prices below cost to drive competitors out of the market. However, minimum price requirements can also have unintended consequences, such as creating surpluses if the set price is too high, leading to increased costs for consumers, or potentially fostering black markets if the mandated price is significantly above the market-clearing price. The effectiveness and desirability of minimum price requirements are often subjects of economic debate.