Hangzhou badminton enthusiasts are seeing shuttlecock prices drop by 10% to 20% across major retail outlets and sports venues.
The trend differs from the previous three-year period, when rising costs forced many local players to reuse damaged shuttles to manage expenses.
A survey of sports equipment stores in Hangzhou indicates a broad downward adjustment in pricing. At the VICTOR flagship store on Tiyuchang Road, staff said that nearly every model has seen a price reduction.
Specifically, the “Golden No. 5” model, which previously retailed for 120 yuan per tube, is now priced at 96 yuan. Similarly, at the YONEX location on Tiyuchang Road, the price for the “02” shuttlecock has fallen from 165 yuan to 140 yuan per tube.
The price adjustment is also visible at general sporting goods retailers. At a Decathlon store in the North City MixC area, customers reported savings of more than 20 yuan per tube compared to recent peaks. Staff at the location confirmed that the store implemented uniform price adjustments across its inventory in line with broader industry trends.
Industry data suggests that more than 70% of a shuttlecock’s production cost is tied to the price of duck or goose feathers. By the second half of 2025, domestic poultry production capacity began to recover, easing the supply constraints that had previously driven up raw material costs.
According to Wu Bin, chairman of Jiangshan Sanxin Sports Goods Co., the recent price drop follows a period of aggressive inventory accumulation. Manufacturers, retailers, and individual players had stockpiled shuttlecocks during a period of perceived shortages, which inflated market prices. As these parties began to release their excess inventory back into the market, prices moved downward.
The rise of synthetic shuttlecocks has further influenced the market dynamics for traditional feather models. During the period of high prices, many casual players switched to nylon or carbon-fiber alternatives, which are noted for their durability and lower cost. This shift in demand reduced the pressure on the traditional feather shuttlecock market, forcing retailers to adjust their pricing strategies to remain competitive.
While prices on the ground have dropped, online platforms are showing similar trends. Popular models, such as the Li-Ning G100S, are currently listed at approximately 87 yuan for a dozen, while Kawasaki T75 goose-feather training balls are retailing for roughly 83 yuan for a pack of ten, reflecting a clear departure from the higher price points observed in recent years.
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