As the price of tomatoes fell from $2.5 to $2, the quantity imported from mexico fell from 1,800 tons to 900 tons. the elasticity of supply of tomatoes imported from mexico is: 0.25.

The elasticity of supply can be calculated using the formula:

Elasticity = [(Q2 – Q1) / ((Q2 + Q1) / 2)] / [(P2 – P1) / ((P2 + P1) / 2)]

or in simpler terms: Elasticity =(ΔQ / Qave) / (ΔP / Pave)

Where Q and P are the quantity and price respectively

We are given that:

P1 = $2.5                 Q1 = 1,800 tons

P2 = $2                    Q2 = 900 tons

Substituting the given values into the equation:

Elasticity = [(900 – 1800) / ((900 + 1800) / 2)] / [(2 – 2.5) / ((2 + 2.5) / 2)]

Elasticity = (-900 / 1350) / (-0.5 / 2.25)

Elasticity = 3.0

Since elasticity is positive, the supply is directly proportional to the price.

so they can see what that city is producing and to also see if they can some how get that product. like gold in africa.