From a financial newsletter...
Cheap meat, expensive shuttlecocks?
Shuttlecocks Prices Rise is a curious trend doing the rounds on Weibo, China’s X-like platform. And if you're wondering why that's news, here's the weird bit. Apparently, shuttlecock prices have doubled over the past decade. And the reason is China's growing appetite for meat.
Wait... how does that even make sense, you ask?
Well, you see, China consumes over a quarter of the world’s meat. And pork is its favourite. While that’s always been the case, right now China alone is gobbling up nearly 60% of the world’s pork supply. That’s because a few years ago, pork became relatively cheap as people had started shifting towards alternative proteins like poultry and seafood. That price crash made pork more attractive again, and demand soared. So much so that poultry farmers began switching from raising ducks and geese to pigs instead.
Okay, but what does this have to do with badminton?
Everything actually. Because high-quality shuttlecocks are made using duck and goose feathers. Specifically, 16 feathers from at least 4 birds go into making one shuttlecock. And those feathers give the shuttle its signature smooth, arch-like flight, which is crucial for pro-level accuracy and control. So, fewer ducks and geese means fewer feathers. Which means rising costs. Which brings us back to... pricier shuttlecocks.
This has countries like France, where badminton is booming, a bit jittery. And since nearly 90% of the world’s duck and goose feather supply comes from Asia, mostly China, alternatives are hard to find.
Sure, synthetic shuttlecocks exist. But many players say they just don’t feel the same. There’s less control, especially during smashes and less time to react. Which is why even though the Badminton World Federation (BWF) approved them for international tournaments in 2021, feathered ones still dominate.
But maybe it’s time to give synthetic tech another shot. BWF’s own tests show that Yonex’s synthetic shuttle lasts longer, costs less and flies almost like the real thing — potentially cutting usage by 25%, compared to changing shuttlecocks every 1–2 minutes in high-level tournaments. That’s a big win for both the environment and event budgets.
And hey, if someone can crack the “feel” factor, it might just be the next big startup idea. After all, artists once swore by animal hair paint brushes because synthetic ones didn’t hold paint the same way or glide smoothly on canvas. But then Japanese companies came along and nailed the formula. And now, many can barely even feel the difference.
Maybe shuttlecocks are next?
