Margarine Prices. Several years? ago, people became concerned about the undesirable health effects of eating margarine. The demand for margarine? dropped, decreasing its price. Some time? later, the price of margarine started rising? steadily, although demand? hadn't been changing. After several months of price? hikes, the price of margarine reached the price observed before demand decreased. According to a consumer watchdog? organization, the rising price of margarine was evidence of a conspiracy on the part of margarine producers. Which of the following provides an alternative explanation for the rising price of margarine and its eventual return to the original? price?

A. The decrease in demand was followed by an offsetting increase in supply.

B. As firms exited a? decreasing-cost industry, the equilibrium price increased.

C. Demand returned to normal following the health scare.

D. As firms exited a? constant-cost industry, the equilibrium price increased.