Attempt to establish non-market prices: The Athenian Grain Merchants, 386 B.C.

Cold Case Files: The Athenian Grain Merchants, 386 B.C. By Wayne R. Dunham
Cato Journal, Vol. 28, No. 3 (Fall 2008). Feb 2009

Food price increases have always been politically sensitive. Price spikes like those that have occurred recently create the demand for action on the part of government to alleviate the problem. Yet, government intervention can often do more harm than good. This article examines one such example of a counterproductive response that occurred in 388 B.C. in Athens, Greece. In response to a negative supply shock to the grain market, regulators encouraged grain importers to form a buyers' cartel (monopsony), hoping that it would reduce retail prices by first lowering wholesale grain prices. In reality, the decrease in wholesale prices resulted in a decrease in the willingness of producers in other regions to supply grain to Athens, and retail grain prices increased substantially. Grain importers soon found themselves on trial for their lives in what is probably the earliest recorded antitrust trial. This article uses the information presented at that trial and other contemporary sources to evaluate the grain merchants. actions. More generally, it analyses the impact of a buyer's cartel or monopsony on prices and consumption.