What is the minimum price that tobacco will sell for at auction?

The minimum price that tobacco will sell for at auction is determined by the support price. This price is set by the government and acts as a safety net for farmers, ensuring they receive a minimum income for their crops, regardless of market fluctuations. The concept of a support price is particularly important for crops like tobacco, where market conditions can vary significantly and affect the profitability of producers.

The support price helps stabilize the market by guaranteeing a minimum income, thus encouraging farmers to continue growing the crop even when market prices fluctuate below this threshold. Consequently, during an auction, tobacco would not be sold for less than this predetermined support price, as it helps to maintain the economic viability of the farming community.

In contrast, market price reflects the current selling price based on supply and demand dynamics and may fall below the support price, while wholesale and retail prices pertain to the prices at which tobacco is sold to retailers and consumers, respectively, after it has already been through the auction process. Therefore, the correct answer highlights the importance of the support price as a protective measure for the agricultural sector.