Question

Assume Ireland and Mali can both produce grain and dates, and that the only limited resource is the farming labor force, meaning that land, water, and all other resources are plentiful in both countries. Each farmer in Ireland can produce 10t of grain or 5t of dates in a season. Each farmer in Mali can also produce 10t of grain or 25t of dates.
Required:
a. Which country has the absolute advantage in producing dates?
b. Which country has the absolute advantage in producing grain?
c. Which country has the competitive advantage in producing dates?
d. Which country has the comparative advantage in producing grain?

Answer 1

Answer:

a. Which country has the absolute advantage in producing dates?

Mali

b. Which country has the absolute advantage in producing grain?

None

c. Which country has the competitive advantage in producing dates?

Mali

d. Which country has the comparative advantage in producing grain?

Ireland

Explanation:

Opportunity cost of producing dates:

Ireland = 10 / 5 = 2 tons of grains

Mali = 10 / 25 = 0.4 tons of grains

Opportunity cost of producing grains:

Ireland = 5 / 10 = 0.5 tons of dates

Mali = 25 / 10 = 2.5 tons of dates