I think prices depend on what combo of mods you are using, some mods add easier ways to generate resources making them cheaper and vice versa.
For example, a normal 1x steel-plate uses x8 iron-plates
if you use Angel's smelting and say theres a recipe that gives 4 steel-plate for the price of x8 iron-plates, that will lower the price of steel.
I don't think this should be called a bug.
Though I agree that support for adding custom prices would be wonderful, for example with my playthrough, I want physical currency that I can store in a warehouse and doesnt fluctuate, so I can simulate storing money on my factory, and then moving that money to the system if i need to buy something.
Having that capability would greatly increase roleplay potential when you want to simulate playing Red Alert + Factorio using Klonan's Total Automization + ITC
Sell "gold/ore" through ITC then buy units to use for Total Automization. Voila, Red Alert and Factorio made a baby.