The decline in pork prices in China is affecting the prices of winter padding jackets and badminton shuttlecocks. As pork prices have dropped and demand has surged, the slaughter of geese and ducks, which serve as substitutes, has decreased. This has led to a sharp rise in the prices of goose down and duck down, which are used as materials for padding and shuttlecocks.

원본보기 아이콘

원본보기 아이콘

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 on a weekly decline since October. The price, which was 24.89 yuan per kilogram on October 1, fell to 24.16 yuan as of the 12th of this month. Experts diagnose that due to an oversupply of pigs, prices are likely to fall further by the end of the year. In China, pork prices plummeted last year and dropped by 2.7% in the first half of this year as well.

As prices have fallen, Chinese consumers have been buying more pork, reducing demand for goose and duck meat as substitutes. The number of geese and ducks slaughtered has decreased, leading to a reduced supply of feathers used in padding and shuttlecock production.

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

The price of badminton shuttlecocks made from goose or duck feathers is also on the rise.

According to a recent report by Chinese media Sina Finance, "the price of badminton shuttlecocks has increased by 20-60% compared to last year," adding that "'With a monthly salary of 20,000 yuan (about 1,460 USD), I can't afford to play badminton' has become a popular saying." The price of Yonex shuttlecocks surged from 210 yuan to 275 yuan, and premium shuttlecocks now exceed 400 yuan (about 53,000 KRW). Chinese netizens have even dubbed shuttlecocks the "next-generation financial product" due to the price hike.

While the decrease in demand for goose and duck meat is driving up shuttlecock prices, the rising popularity of badminton in China is causing a surge in shuttlecock demand, further accelerating price increases. The General Administration of Sport of China estimates that there are 250 million people who enjoy badminton in China. The badminton market has also expanded. In cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Jinan, and Hefei, it is difficult to book a badminton court.

Mr. Chen, a Chinese shop owner running a sports store in Zhengzhou, explained, "We try to source cost-effective shuttlecocks, but they are often sold out, so we cannot even stock them in the store." He added, "Some customers feel burdened by the price increase of shuttlecocks and tend to hoard cheaper products when they find them."

Photo by Getty Images Bank