One example: A farmer might choose to sell his produce at cost so it won't rot, so he can pay his bills and so the surrounding population can eat.

A profit would be nice, but there's more to it than profit, e.g. paying the bills and social stability.

To spin the wheels. People still get paid and the economy keeps humming along. No profit doesn't mean people aren't making money, just that the company isn't making excess money.

"Oh, what am I to do with all this wheat that grew on my field?"