Why are edible insects still so expensive?


Eating insects, also known as entomophagy, has been around since the dawn of humankind. Meanwhile, when growing beef became easier than collecting insects, this delicious protein source got forgotten in many parts of the world. But now insects are returning to the menu when humankind is searching for alternative and more sustainable ways to produce protein. However, despite the potential benefits of edible insects, they remain relatively expensive compared to other protein sources such as meat and poultry. There are several reasons why edible insects are currently so expensive, which we can broadly categorize into production and demand-side factors.
The small scale of insect farming operations
Lack of standardized production methods
Limited consumer demand for edible insects
Limited availability of edible insects
Regulatory and cultural barriers to edible insects
Conclusion

Party Bugs produces its insect snacks in Finland, an EU country, and buys its insects from EU countries where all breeders must follow the strict EU regulations for food safety.