Final answer:
When sellers expect higher rice prices in the near future, the answer is an increase in supply. Therefore, the correct option is a) Increase in supply.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct answer is a) Increase in supply.
When sellers expect higher rice prices in the near future, they are likely to increase the supply of rice in the market. This is because they anticipate making higher profits by selling rice at the expected higher prices. By increasing the supply, sellers are able to meet the anticipated higher demand and take advantage of the higher prices.
For example, if sellers expect that the price of rice will increase next month, they may decide to plant more rice crops and harvest more rice to sell in the market. This increases the overall supply of rice available, which in turn helps to meet the expected increase in demand and stabilize the price of rice in the market.