You might be thinking drug cartel when you see the word cartel. A cartel is a group of companies in the same business colluding for reasons like to remove safety regulations or keep prices high. There is a worldwide diamond cartel that keeps those prices up and spreads bullshit about how your fiance won’t be happy without an expensive, natural diamond. Yes, there is even a cartel for eggs. They are loving bird flu because they can blame it for high prices.