This is known as a Cartel
''A formal agreement between many companies to limit production and artificially increase the demand and price of their products to make more profits''
Cartels are illegal in almost every country, but that has not stopped many large companies from taking part in such activities.
They exist because it is extremely difficult to legally prove that a group of companies is acting as a Cartel.
Cartels can have a devastating long-term impact on the local and national economy.