I just asked Martin Elshire of Aerotronics (who is doing my panel) this same question and his thought on this is that up 'till now the vendors were selling old stock from as long as 20 years ago when general aviation was still somewhat in the boom years. Now those supplies have run out making a new production run necessary. And the cost today is far higher. This seems plausible to me as the new pitot tube I ordered from Vern last year came in a box that definitely seemed a little old although the contents were brand new.
 I have also discovered the price of basic pitot static instruments has jumped drastically as well. The airspeed indicator sold by Lancair for the 360s is considerably less than other sources I checked. (Hint to those still building one and without an A/S indicator)   Kai Ogston