I think the germ vs $$ difference is pretty much the same everywhere. For yrs we've heard how beans HAVE to be @ 90% germ to be sold as factory beans. Well, this yr some factory beans are below 90% & are being sold as BELOW 90%, however the price is full-bore retail....in cases that I'm familiar with. I'll assume there is some company somewhere adjusting $$ downwards as necessary. Luckily these are better products than any lo-life farmer could hope to have from bin-runs, assuming they were legalized....again.

I think the reasoning I heard was "take it or leave it....if not-the guy standing behind you wants some....!"

Could be all wrong though.