What's going on with raid food?

In specific, crit food. It feels like every time they introduce a new tier of raid food they are more difficult to craft than before. Previously the food was difficult to make during the progression but afterwards alternative ways to acquire materials were introduced. However 3.0 food is still as difficult as the day it came out and the 3.1 food is even more so.
This is causing exorbitant prices on raid food, for example Baked Pipira Pira(3.0) on my server is 30k EACH for HQ and Steamed Staff(3.1) is 63k EACH for HQ. Meanwhile Flint Caviar (2.4) which is the next tier down is currently 12k per HQ. As you can see the newest food more than doubles each time it's introduced, at this rate we'll be looking at food that's 100k per HQ. This doesn't seem right for a game where there is hardly any places to readily acquire funds outside of the market board. If anything we should see these prices normalizing after progression and replacing the previous top tier food.

There's nothing difficult about crafting Baked Pipira Pira in the slightest. The mats are incredibly easy to acquire. Steamed staff is isn't a hassle either. The only barrier to that is retribution staff, which is still easy to fish if you're willing to go into diadem.

Prices stay that high because people are willing to pay it. Supply and demand.

Gil is easy enough to come by if you're willing to work for it. Go run diadem and buy mats with your spoils. Find something your retainers can bring you that sells well. Level a DoH class (fishing is cheap and fast.)

Just don't complain if you're not willing to do the work. That's like complaint about not having a thordan weapon when you're not willing to learn the fight.

I have to agree with Snuggles. I just crafted a stack of 99 HQ Baked Pipira. Gathered everything myself. It's not at all hard to make.

Supply & Demand. If people are willing to pay that price it will sell for that price.

Raiding has never been a cheap endeavor as far as food, potions, crafted gear + melds ... that is why a lot of statics sell runs and if they dont? They craft and gather just like lots of casual players.