Buffer Stock Schemes

A buffer stock scheme may be operated by a government in order to reduce price fluctuations of a commodity. It involves the government setting a target price range for a commodity (a maximum and minimum price) and intervening to ensure that the price remains within in this band despite changes in supply and demand.

In times of an increase in supply the price may fall too low, so the government buys up the excess supply of the commodity and stockpiles it. In times of decreasing supply the price will rise and so the agency sells from the stockpile in order to reduce the price.

From the graph on the left we can see that there was an increase in supply from Q_e to Q₁ which caused the price to fall from P_e to P₁ which leads to the government intervening. The government purchases quantity XY in order to ensure the price remains at P₃ this costs them XYLQ₁.

From the graph on the right we can see that there is a decrease in supply to Q₆ which causes the price to rise to P₆ the government intervenes and sells quantity VW from its stockpile which causes the price to fall to P_5. The government revenue earned is VWMQ₆ and leads to a reduction in the governments stockpile.

The scheme is intended to be self-financing since the government purchases the stock at a low price and sells the stock at a high price therefore paying for administration and storage costs.

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Buffer Stock Scheme

Advantages include reduced commodity price fluctuations, there is a greater certainty in the market leading to more investment. There is also ensured provision of commodities for consumers even in years of poor harvest.

Disadvantages include the costs for storage and security of the stockpiles which leads to an opportunity cost as the government cant spend money in other sectors. If supply continues to increase without disruption then it will mean the government has to purchase more surplus stock and store which may become more expensive. Conversely their may be an event which causes a decrease in the supply which would mean the government has to use up its stockpile, if this continues and the government runs out of stock then the market price will eventually exceed the maximum price and so render the buffer stock system inept. The price range may be inaccurately set in the first place which would also cause problems. The stocks may be perishable over a long period of time which means the government can lose money if it has to destroy stock. 

Page last updated on 20/10/13