Why is iboga so expensive?

The iboga plant simply needs a minimum of 20 years, but preferably 50 years. This long period makes it much more laborious and spans generations. On top of that, iboga is a living seed and must not dry out. In the rainforest, iboga is spread through the droppings of monkeys and elephants; in some African countries, this has to be done by hand. Due to the increase in overharvesting in recent years, the price of iboga has risen almost tenfold. Some producers work with sustainable methods, others have set up their own plantations, which increases the price even further.

How to recognise good quality is explained under How can I check the quality, origin and sustainability of iboga?