Core Insights - The price of badminton has increased significantly over the past six months, with many brands raising prices by 20-30 yuan per barrel, leading to concerns among enthusiasts about affordability [2][3][5] - The rise in prices is attributed to a shortage of raw materials, particularly duck and goose feathers, which are essential for manufacturing high-quality feather shuttlecocks [7][10] - Despite the price hikes, sales volume for badminton products remains stable or even shows an upward trend, indicating that consumer enthusiasm for the sport persists [5][10] Price Trends - Specific examples of price increases include the Yonex AS-05 shuttlecock, which rose from 180 yuan to 218 yuan per barrel, and the AS-9 from 160 yuan to 185 yuan, reflecting a price increase of 20-35 yuan [5] - Other brands such as Victor, Decathlon, and RSL have also experienced slight price increases, with Decathlon's shuttlecocks now priced between 89.9 yuan and 249.9 yuan [5] Supply Chain Issues - The decline in duck and goose farming has led to a significant reduction in the supply of feathers, causing a spike in prices for shuttlecock materials [7] - The production of nylon shuttlecocks has seen a slight increase in sales as consumers look for more affordable alternatives, with prices remaining stable around 90 yuan per barrel [8] Market Dynamics - The current high prices of traditional feather shuttlecocks are expected to remain as the supply chain struggles to recover, indicating a potential new price baseline for the industry [10] - The market for synthetic shuttlecocks, such as nylon and carbon fiber options, is anticipated to grow, driven by technological advancements and consumer acceptance [10][11]

Price Increase - The badminton market has experienced significant price increases, with some products seeing a rise of up to 100% over two years, leading to a "hard-to-find" situation for certain items [1][2] - Major brands like Yonex and Victor have raised prices due to a combination of rising market demand and a shortage of duck and goose feathers, which are essential raw materials for badminton production [1][2] Raw Material Shortage - The primary reason for the price hikes is the shortage of quality feathers, with the supply of meat ducks in China dropping from 2 billion to 1.2 billion from 2019 to 2023, a decrease of 40% [2][3] - The domestic duck and goose farming scale has been shrinking, exacerbating the supply tension for high-quality feathers, as the profitability of meat production has been affected by rising feed costs [3] Market Demand - The demand for badminton has been increasing due to heightened health awareness among the public and the growth of professional training and amateur competitions [3][5] - The badminton industry is expected to maintain high prices in the near future due to sustained demand growth [3] Industry Response - Companies are optimizing their supply chains and increasing production capacity to address the raw material shortages, with some firms establishing integrated breeding and processing facilities [4] - The introduction of synthetic feather badminton products is being explored as a potential solution to the natural feather supply crisis, with these products showing improved durability and lower costs [4][5] Future Outlook - The badminton industry may undergo significant changes driven by new material research, supply chain optimization, and technological innovation, potentially leading to a more diversified market structure [5] - Companies that can achieve technological breakthroughs and optimize their supply chains are likely to gain a competitive edge in the evolving market landscape [5]