There are several reasons why Japanese Binchotan charcoal is relatively expensive:
Manufacturing process: Binchotan charcoal is made from high-quality, hardwoods that are burned slowly and at high temperatures. This process usually takes several days and is labor intensive, adding to the higher cost.
Scarcity: The woods used to make Binchotan charcoal are not always easy to find and are sometimes scarce. This can lead to higher raw material costs.
Quality :Binchotan charcoal is known for its high quality and unique properties, such as high heat output and low smoke development. This makes it popular among foodies and chefs, which can lead to higher prices.
Import costs: Binchotan charcoal is imported from Japan, and therefore has higher transport costs and import taxes.
In short, the higher price of Japanese Binchotan charcoal can be attributed to the higher production costs, scarcity of raw materials, high quality, and transportation and import costs.