When a tax is imposed on a good that is already underproduced, the result is that the good will be produced even less, leading to an increase in _____. This phenomenon occurs because the tax discourages production, moving the market further away from allocative efficiency.

When a tax is placed on a good that is already being produced in smaller amounts than needed, it causes the production of that good to decrease even more. This leads to an increase in the price of the good, making it even less affordable for consumers. For example, if a tax is added to organic vegetables, which are already not produced enough to meet demand, the higher price will deter more people from buying them. As a result, fewer organic vegetables are available, and this moves the market further away from allocative efficiency, where resources are used in the most beneficial way for society. In summary, the tax creates a situation where the good becomes scarcer and less accessible, worsening the problem of underproduction.