The Specific of Cartel Markets in the Countries of Developing Culture of Competition

One of the most harmful competition infringements are cartels, which make damages to national economy. In some markets the cartels are detected fast enough, while in others they exist for decades. It is important to identify and explore the characteristics of the markets with increased cartelization risks. The theoretical identification of evidence suggesting the existence of a cartel in a market and factual comparison with the real market situation may represent the preliminary stage in the cartel detection process and verification of cartel existence. The paper analyzes the characteristics of cartel markets, the factors, indicating higher risks of market exposure to cartelization as compared to other markets and the economic factors evidencing cartel existence. The empirical analysis is based on Lithuanian cases. This country is chosen because it corresponds to the features of the small economy with developing culture of competition. On the base of the theoretical analysis, the Lithuanian markets, where cartels were not found, but there’s a greater chance that the cartels operate in these markets, are identified. The key economic factors, which have an impact on “Lithuanian” cartel formation, are presented also in the article.