Bamboo might not be a common part of your lawn, but bamboo sprouts are actually one of the most commonly consumed parts of the bamboo. In fact, they have become an important part of Asian recipes and broths. The bamboo sprouts are available in a variety of forms, including canned, dried, and fresh. However, it doesn’t matter where you purchase it from and which form you are purchasing; it’s always going to cost a lot. So, if you are wondering why bamboo is so expensive, we are here to share the details!
Why Is Bamboo So Expensive?
1. Production Process
Bamboo sprouts come from bamboo, and they are particularly cut out from Moso bamboo, which is known as the densest species of bamboo. Keep in mind that Moso bamboo is not the regular variety. It is also known as tortoise-shell bamboo, which takes five to six years to reach the level of maturity. However, when bamboo matures, it yields dense fibers as compared to other species of bamboo. Having said that, it’s a promising choice for cutting out the sprouts.
Coming back to the point, the development and production of this bamboo variety are quite complex and go through multiple stages. For instance, when its stem grows from 35ft to 40ft, it is harvested and checked for pest infestation and defects. This stem is then cut into sprouts and is treated with specific solutions to treat pests. In addition, it is often dried to achieve a suitable moisture content. They are also smoothened to make sure they are safe to be used in food. All in all, the production process is quite complicated, which contributes to the high price.
2. Only Limited Quantity Of Bamboo Is Used
Bamboo is known as the fastest-growing and tall plant – some varieties grow by 1ft on a per-day basis, but it has hardened hollow stems. These stems are grown in the form of clusters into a thick stem that stays underground. Once bamboo matures, the bamboo is harvested which is then cut into sprouts. However, it has a hollow stem which makes it difficult to cut. Even more, only 30% of the bamboo is usable, and the edible amount is even less. For this reason, it tends to be extremely expensive.
3. Limited Resources
When it comes down to bamboo zones or areas, there are around 14 million hectares of it. These areas are in Africa, America, and the Asia Pacific. On the other hand, there are 4.06 billion hectares of worldwide forest zones. It is needless to say that ever since the 1990s, the coverage of forests has considerably reduced, which has reduced the bamboo zones even more. Also, there are over one thousand species, and 80% of them grow in southeastern and eastern Asian regions.
On the contrary, 20% of global bamboo is grown in China, accrediting to the natural environment. All the other parts of the world have to depend on these countries for the bamboo supply, and the already-reduced bamboo growth only leads to a higher price. Even if the countries import bamboo, they will have to purchase it at a higher price with never-ending taxes.
4. Shipping Charges
It’s evident that the major chunk of bamboo species are grown in Asia, particularly China, which has over 500 varieties growing in the northern regions. Having said that, China is known as the bamboo kingdom, and importing them comes with expensive shipping costs. In addition, bamboo has a dense texture, and this thickness impacts the shipping and freight costs.
5. Propagation Process
Propagation is all about creating new plants, and propagation is actually very challenging for bamboo. In particular, the seed and flower production of bamboo occurs at extensive intervals, which is why the farmers have to use propagation techniques to ensure faster growth. The propagation process is extremely stringent since it is labor-intensive. Even more, the success rate of propagation is quite low, which results in limited yield. All of this leads to a high price.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that bamboo is actually an edible form of plants and has become a preferred choice among people who like the earthy yet sweet flavors. As far as the high prices are concerned, they are a result of challenging production processes and limited resources.