anyone know why swiftlet' nest is so expensive?

Question

Swiftlet is a type of swallow that produces nest from its saliva. The nest is normally found in traditional chinese food

Answer 1

I think it comes down to economics.

Supply and Demand.
The nest are in limited supply so the gatherers can charge more (which probably a few dollars, isn't a lot by our standards of living), but more IMPORTANTLY the demand is their because people are willing to pay outrageous prices because they think it has some type of medicinal healing properties.

It's wild what people will pay for foods that are supposedly "healthy" and help with one's libido.

Similar to the vitamin, health supplement industry in the USA (and around the world). We pay how much for a bottle of filtered tap water!?!?

From wikipedia:
The white nests and the “red blood” nests are supposedly rich in nutrients which are traditionally believed to provide health benefits, such as aiding digestion, raising libido, improving the voice, alleviating asthma, increasing concentration, and an overall benefit to the immune system.

Answer 2

because the 'nest-harvesters' as they're called have to risk their lives to get the nests. the nests are usually found very high up in treacherous caves, and these workers have to either construct a flimsy bamboo support structure to get up there or climb up a ladder which rests against the inside of the cave. then they have to scrape off the nest from the walls of the cave. more than a few workers have fallen to their deaths while on duty. it's why the nest is considered a chinese delicacy, along with abalone and shark's fin.

Answer 3

RE:
anyone know why swiftlet' nest is so expensive?
Swiftlet is a type of swallow that produces nest from its saliva. The nest is normally found in traditional chinese food

Answer 4

Because the swifts build their nests high up on cave walls and the nests are very difficult and dangerous to reach. This is why the cost is so high.

Also demand is high and yeild is low, especially as the birds are becoming an endangered species.

Answer 5

Have you ever seen how they get those nest !