Price of Veg seeds getting expensive.

The fewer people buy (saving/trading) the higher the price must be to make up for the manufacturers costs, the fewer people buy. This is why smaller specialists are usually very expensive, especially someone like real seeds who expects you to save seed. F1s were so successful as a business because it garentees repeat sales.

A vicious circle that dooms many businesses and why scaling back is important in harder times (aka sacking staff), to keep prices down.

The justification is everyone who gets sacked then gets a job somewhere else. I guess so. Doesnt seem like a great system to me, but has made humanity pretty rich so far. At least some of humanity.

As @Obelix-Vendée said, its still cheaper to plant seeds, though less so than last year.
Ive tried 3 times to get raspberries going chasing the delusion of not having to buy 20£/kg rasps ever again. Third times the charm!

 

I have sort of learnt this, growing only what I love to eat and in quantities I can manage i.e. one Courgette plant, not three.

That's the theory anyways. After donating half of my very healthy cucumber seedlings this year I still had I think 12 to deal with. All gone now, in jars and tummies.

But otherwise it has worked OK this year.

 

I agree that seeds have become more expensive. I buy from various companies or GC'S. I find Franchii seeds are good value, lots more seed in the packet and good germination rates, but their range tends to be a little more basic. If you want something a bit specific or special you have to go elsewhere. I find you have to be careful with some heritage varieties. Sometimes there is a reason why it fell out of favour and was replaced with a new introduction. On the other hand some heritage varieties have stood the test of time for very good reasons.
Seasonal variation can complicate things even more. Sungold toms are a good example, when I did the RHS course, me and another classmate were extolling the virtues of them, the following year we both agreed they were underwhelming as @Obelix-Vendée said. The bad year we had warm days but unusually cool nights in May and June and it really affected the flavour.

 

@Obelix-Vendée My friend in Spain sent pictures of their tin machine and shelves full with tomato sauce and other veggies. They are far more eaters in the family. live in a house, and they have no hosepipe ban.
We are two of us, in a small flat, and especially after this year's summer, I'm even less keen on growing my own with smart meter and hosepipe ban.