I don't think it's so much monetary expense as time to ship that makes it expensive for fresh goods. I'm not sure where it was discussed, but the known limitations of speed drives in atmosphere mean it takes at least a couple of hours for a safe launch (popping straight up is discouraged after certain incidents) and the Free/Fen-trade zones most likely have registered approach and launch paths so you're not likely to be on a straight line to your target.
Say one day to get out the Well (picking, cleaning, packaging, shipping to launch site, packing, and launching), then one day range in a decently sized SS class vehicle (0.01c) gives you a range of Venus to Mars to get your product there while it's still called fresh.
Anything that can reasonably be frozen, canned, or dried are easier as there is less time pressure on these things, same with still living things (given room and supplies to let them survive).
Also, bare in mind that there is very little (sizewise) organised shipping in Fenspace. These people have limited resources compared to the shipping companied down in the Well, and as such don't have the contacts they do. Thus they don't get the best prices 'Daneside, or the amounts.
All this pushes the price up.
As readily available, edible biomass is rare in Fenspace, comparatively speaking these people have a valuable and wanted (thus expensive) comodity. Even at cost, it's still 'expensive'.
Say one day to get out the Well (picking, cleaning, packaging, shipping to launch site, packing, and launching), then one day range in a decently sized SS class vehicle (0.01c) gives you a range of Venus to Mars to get your product there while it's still called fresh.
Anything that can reasonably be frozen, canned, or dried are easier as there is less time pressure on these things, same with still living things (given room and supplies to let them survive).
Also, bare in mind that there is very little (sizewise) organised shipping in Fenspace. These people have limited resources compared to the shipping companied down in the Well, and as such don't have the contacts they do. Thus they don't get the best prices 'Daneside, or the amounts.
All this pushes the price up.
As readily available, edible biomass is rare in Fenspace, comparatively speaking these people have a valuable and wanted (thus expensive) comodity. Even at cost, it's still 'expensive'.