It also goes up in price dramatically when we have hurricanes. Especially sheet goods (plywood and OSB).
Law of supply and "demand", my friend, in a "free" market place, "we'll" charge you as much as you (or next guy) will pay until you don't buy it then maybe cut back just enough to get you to buy it again. Costs to mfg have little to do with it, fair has little to do with it, and sometimes even threat by government over "price gouging" will have little effect. They'll charge as much as the billionaire corporations can (or want), scream all you want it won't matter, until it effects their bottom line nothing will change. (Even then very little) Look at gas, based on price of crude gas prices should have gotten down to 1970 prices in the 30 cent a gallon range or even well under a dollar. Did that happen, no, why, people still needed to drive to get to work, it stayed high until it effected the billionaire corporations executive's delivery of caviar with a surcharge over the price of gas, only then did it moderate a litlle.
Been all down hill since the demise of the "ma and pa" store that as I child could go and get a pocket full of candy for 10 cents or the popsicle for 5cent. The billionaire corporations pushed them out and it pushes us into a corner.
Our bottom line matters not, people will be looking for "shortcuts" to have it cheaper, regardless of code violation (or safety concerns), they will be doing DIY installation in violation of code, no inspections (because if you do it yourself and nobody gonna see it and you're only that will ever know) why pay to have it done right, "I just saved 50 cents a stick on PVC". And while we're at it why even put a splice in a box, just some wirenuts and tape then I dont have that "God awful" ugly cover in the middle of my wall (or ceiling).
I'm quitting, going on welfare, and get a "caddy" and sit back and complain that the Tbone I just got with my "foodies" was a little thin. Then see what happens to the price of ply and PVC (nothing!!!).
Sorry, venting, had a bad couple of weeks over the price skyrocketing of materials (if I can even get them) and customers screaming at me as if I had any control over it.