Icelandic eiderdown is one of the world’s most coveted natural fibers, known for its warmth, lightness, and incredible insulating properties. But what makes this luxurious material so expensive? A recent video from Business Insider highlighted the unique and labor-intensive process behind harvesting eiderdown, giving readers a closer look at why this natural product comes with such a hefty price tag. Here’s why Icelandic eiderdown is worth every penny.
Check out the full video on Business Insider here.
King Eider’s Mention in Business Insider
We’re proud to be featured in Business Insider’s video “Why Icelandic Eiderdown Is So Expensive,” which takes an in-depth look at the fascinating journey of Icelandic eiderdown from wild ducks to luxury bedding. The video details the painstaking process of harvesting this rare fiber, and how companies like ours are dedicated to preserving the natural beauty and high quality of eiderdown.
A Rare and Natural Treasure
Eiderdown is harvested from the nests of wild eider ducks, which are found in the remote and rugged areas of Iceland, particularly around Breiðafjörður bay. This soft, insulating underfeather helps protect the ducks from the freezing Arctic seas. During the breeding season, the female ducks naturally shed their down, creating what is known as a broodspot on her chest, which allows the female’s body heat to keep the eggs warm.
While the process is natural and ethical, collecting eiderdown is far from simple. Eiderdown farmers, like Erla Friðriksdóttir of King Eider, must collect down by hand, often requiring small boats to navigate between the 240 islands she takes care of in Breiðafjörður. The nests are spread far apart, sometimes hidden among rocks or tall grasses, making the search challenging.
The Labor-Intensive Harvesting Process
Once the down is collected, the cleaningl work begins. Unlike other types of down, eiderdown is often contaminated with sticks, seaweed, and larger feathers. These unwanted materials must be carefully removed.
The process starts with an eight-hour bake at 120°C to loosen the debris. After that, machines help separate the larger feathers, but the fine cleaning is done by hand. This delicate task takes hours—around four to five hours to clean just one kilogram of eiderdown.
A Strictly Regulated Industry
Iceland’s eiderdown industry is highly regulated. Since 1970, all eiderdown produced and sold in Iceland must be certified for quality and weight. Before any eiderdown product, such as duvets or pillows, can be sold, it undergoes inspection to ensure it meets strict standards.
This certification system ensures that this is high-quality Icelandic eiderdown and confirms its weight. Unlike industrial down, which may come from geese and ducks raised in factory conditions, Icelandic eider ducks remain wild and are safeguarded from harm. Farmers also take great care in protecting the ducks from predators, using everything from fences to bright colors or sounds to keep them safe.
The Result: A Premium, Natural Fiber
What sets Icelandic eiderdown apart is its exceptional quality. The down’s unique structure—tiny barbs that trap air—makes it denser, more insulating, and more wind-resistant than other types of down. This is why eiderdown is used in some of the finest duvets and pillows in the world, often reaching prices of several thousand dollars.
At King Eider, much of the eiderdown produced is sold to other companies for use in their products. However, we also offer our own line of luxury eiderdown pillows and duvets, crafted with the same care and attention to detail.
The Enduring Appeal of Eiderdown
Despite the difficult and time-consuming harvesting process, Icelandic eiderdown continues to be one of the most luxurious fibers on the market. For those who can afford it, the exceptional warmth, lightness, and quality of eiderdown provide unmatched comfort—making it truly worth every penny.If you want to learn more about the eiderdown process and the people behind it, check out the Business Insider video here. You can also explore our collection of eiderdown products at King Eider.