Answer:
a. Italy has a comparative advantage in producing potatoes
Explanation:
Let us compute opportunity costs (OC).
In France,
OC of potato = 3000/9000
= 0.33 lemon
OC of lemon = 9000/3000
= 3 potato
In Italy,
OC of potato = 3000/3000
= 1 lemon
OC of lemon = 3000/3000
= 1 potato
France can produce potato at a lower OC than Italy, so France has comparative advantage in potato. Italy has a comparative advantage in producing lemons.
Trade is mutually beneficial if terms of trade (relative price) lies between the OC.
0.33 < Relative price of potato < 1 lemon, Or
1 potato < Relative price of lemon < 3 potato
Therefore, Italy has a comparative advantage in producing potatoes.