Information Sharing and Collusion: General Principles and the Agri Stats Experience

Abstract

We review some central conclusions from the economics literature regarding the likely impact of information sharing by industry suppliers on consumer welfare. We also review the specific information sharing activities undertaken by Agri Stats. We conclude that although some elements of Agri Stats’ activities may have had the potential to enhance consumer welfare, several elements of the activities reflect features of information sharing that the common wisdom suggests are relatively likely to harm consumers.