Why is beef jerky so expensive?

Thanks for your answers!

If you’re interested in trying it yourself, you can dry the meat right in your own oven. Put it on really low with the door part way open, lay the prepared meat strips on the grid, and a day later you have jerky!

If there’s a reason this is a really bad idea, like spoilage or something, please correct me.

I have used the method Cheesesteak suggest many times with good results.

Hijack:

Why does store bought jerky have such a strange warning? From memory it is something like:

“This product is for consumer use only and not for sale. This product is made from animals that recieved post-mortem inspection…”

The warning is written in what appears to be asian and arabic symbols as well.