So Expensive

From the eye catching logo, to limited product releases, and artist collaborations, Supreme has transitioned from small skateboarding store in New York to a $1 billion dollar streetwear company over the past 20 years. But for its fans, Supreme is more than just a brand — it’s often an obsession and an entire subculture of its own.

The price of pedigree dogs is at an all-time high, and demand too. 2017 saw a 7% rise in the number of registered puppies in the UK. We visited Crufts, one of the world's largest dog shows, to find out why people spend so much on pedigree dogs. A Tibetan Mastiff sold to a businessman for $1.9m in 2014, yet years later the breed was being abandoned en masse. So why does this happen? We speak to the RSPCA to find out more about irresponsible breeding leading to an increase in price.

Mānuka honey known for being is earthier, richer, and more viscous than many other honeys. It comes from the nectar of the flower of Leptospermum scoparium — also known as Manuka, which is only native to New Zealand. Mānuka, in fact, is a Maori word. "The plant itself is very rare. It's difficult to harvest because the flower is only open for 12 days, and sometimes we have to use helicopters to collect this honey." John Rawcliffe from the Mānuka Factor Honey Association told Business Insider. Although mānuka bushes can also be found in Australia, New Zealand accounts for almost all the world's production, with exports worth 300 million NZ dollars ($204m) and expected to rise to 1.2 billion NZ ($800m) by 2028.

Pink Himalayan salt is used in speciality foods, spa treatments, and even home design. 100 grams of it can cost $5 to $8, up to 20 times more than generic table salt. So, why is it so expensive?

Birkin bags have become the ultimate status symbol, commanding resale prices as high as $500,000 for a single bag. Unless you have been chosen by Hermès, resale is likely the only option for obtaining a bag. Luxury resellers like The Real Real in New York have many options available online if you have several thousand dollars lying around.

From the Yubari King, to the Andes, the Higo Green Melon and many more. Melons are grown up and down Japan and they’re serious business. In May 2019, two melons from Hokkaido sold at auction for 5 million yen, that’s just over $45,000. So what is it that makes this fruit so expensive?

Air Jordans retail and resell at higher prices than the average basketball sneaker. The high prices come from how the company makes and markets its iconic sneakers. The brand has a rich history, and its Air Jordan 1 is widely credited as the catalyst for sneaker-culture.

Bonsai is an artform that requires years of training, and centuries of dedication. At the 2012 International bonsai Convention a tree was on sale for one hundred million yen, just under a million dollars. And many more of these trees are considered completely priceless. So what is it that makes these trees so expensive?

Lobster went from prison food to a well-known delicacy. Seafood was left out of rationed foods during WWII, and with the advent of railway transportation, lobster became known as an exotic delicacy.

Oil paint is simple. At its most basic, it’s just a mixture of oil and pigment. But depending on the color and quality, a liter of this paint could cost you $285 to $1,100.

You’ve probably heard of fugu, the deadly puffer fish delicacy served across Japan. The Japanese eat 10,000 tons of the fish each year, but in high season, it could cost you $265 per kilogram. So what makes this dish so expensive?

Wagyu beef is the most prized beef in the world. A single cow can be sold for up to $30,000. Part of the reason why it's so expensive is due to its exclusivity and increasing demand.

Racing pigeons aren’t the typical bird you’ll find on the city streets. These pedigree birds can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars. In March 2019, Armando the racing pigeon sold to a bidder in China for over $1.3 million. So what is it that makes racing pigeons so expensive?

Printer ink can sometimes cost more than the printer itself. We talk with a former editor of the Recycler to find out why printer ink is so expensive.