Why is matcha expensive compared to other teas?

Matcha by its very method of production is very time consuming, and therefore a more costly tea to produce than regular tea. The shading of the tea fields, the harvesting by hand, the grading of the tea leaves after harvesting, all take more labor cost. The stone grinding on hand carved granite blocks consumes time as well. All these steps require more labor, time and therefore add more cost. It is also entirely produced in Japan, by sustainable tea growers who have been producing Matcha for over 100 years. So the labor costs are higher than tea from other countries such as China or Sri Lanka. Additionally, 99% of the matcha produced in Japan is consumed in Japan. Very little is exported though that is starting to change. So by the laws of supply and demand it is costly to buy as well as ship to other countries.