The correct answer is D. All of these.
A cartel is a formal agreement among competing firms in an industry to fix prices, limit output, or share markets. Cartels are illegal in most countries, but they can be very profitable for the firms involved.
Suppliers, distributors, and traders are all potential members of a cartel. Suppliers are
the companies that produce the goods or services that are being sold. Distributors are the companies that buy goods or services from suppliers and sell them to retailers. Traders are the companies that buy goods or services from suppliers and sell them to consumers.All of these types of companies can benefit from forming a cartel. Suppliers can benefit by raising prices and reducing output. Distributors can benefit by increasing prices and reducing the amount of competition. Traders can benefit by buying goods or services at a lower price and selling them at a higher price.
However, cartels are also harmful to consumers. When prices are fixed, consumers have to pay more for goods and services. When output is limited, consumers have less choice and may not be able to find the goods or services they need.
For these reasons, cartels are illegal in most countries. However, they can be difficult to detect and prosecute.