One gram of venom from New Zealand, a major producer, is the equivalent of 10,000 bee stings and costs about $304—more than eight times the current value of gold, according to industry sources. Venom produced outside of New Zealand is sold at lower prices. Judith Salisbury, who owns cosmetics maker Abeeco Ltd., says prices for New Zealand venom are up 33% in the past 12 months. The Auckland-based company sells a full line of bee-venom products, including a lip plumper that costs $29.