Why Have Padding and Shuttlecocks Become More Expensive? Because of Pigs? [China Spotlight]

Due to Cheaper Pork Prices,
Demand for Duck and Goose Declines, Affecting Padding and Shuttlecock Markets

The decline in pork prices in China is affecting the rising prices of padding worn in cold winters and badminton shuttlecocks. As pork prices fall and demand surges, the slaughter volume of substitute goods such as geese and ducks has decreased, causing the prices of goose and duck feathers, which are used as raw materials for padding and shuttlecocks, to skyrocket.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China on the 16th, the average wholesale price of pork, which had been recovering since the second quarter of this year, has been declining weekly since October. The price, which was 24.89 yuan per kg in October, dropped to 24.16 yuan as of the 12th of this month. Experts diagnose that due to an oversupply of pig farming numbers, prices are likely to fall further until the end of the year. In China, pork prices plunged sharply last year and also fell by 2.7% in the first half of this year.

As a result of the price decline, Chinese consumers have sought more pork, reducing demand for substitutes such as goose and duck meat. The number of geese and ducks slaughtered has decreased, leading to a reduced supply of feathers used in the production of padding and shuttlecocks.

In fact, the price of padding filling materials is soaring in China. The price of goose down filling (90% down, white) distributed in China rose 6.94% from 1,069.66 yuan per kg on May 4 to 1,143.92 yuan on November 4. The price of duck down filling (90% down, white) also increased 11.15%, from 481.9 yuan on May 6 to 535.62 yuan on November 4.

Yonex shuttlecocks sold out. Chinese online shopping mall

The price of badminton shuttlecocks made from goose or duck feathers is also rising.

Chinese media Sina Finance recently reported, "Badminton shuttlecock prices have increased by 20-60% compared to last year," adding that the phrase "'With a salary of 20,000 yuan (about 3.88 million KRW), there is no leisure to play badminton'" has spread like a trend. Yonex shuttlecocks surged from 210 yuan to 275 yuan, and the price of premium shuttlecocks exceeded 400 yuan (about 53,000 KRW). Chinese netizens have even called the shuttlecock price increase a "next-generation financial product."

With the decrease in demand for goose and duck meat causing shuttlecock prices to rise, and the popularity of badminton within China causing a surge in shuttlecock demand, the price increase trend is becoming steeper. The General Administration of Sport of China estimates that the number of people enjoying badminton in China reaches 250 million. The badminton market has also expanded. In cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Jinan, and Hefei, it is difficult to book badminton courts.

Mr. Chen, a Chinese sports store owner in Zhengzhou, explained, "I try to stock cost-effective shuttlecocks, but they are often sold out, so I cannot even bring them into the store," adding, "Some customers feel burdened by the higher shuttlecock prices and tend to hoard cheap products when they find them."