Badminton Faces Crisis as Shuttlecock Prices Surge Due to Feather Shortage
Shuttlecock shortage hits badminton, doubling prices and sparking search for alternatives.
New Delhi became the epicenter of a growing concern in the badminton world as a severe shortage of feather shuttlecocks threatens the sport’s accessibility and sustainability. The escalating cost of high-quality shuttles, now nearly Rs 3,000 per tube compared to Rs 1,200 at the end of 2023, stems from a dwindling supply of goose and duck feathers from China, exacerbated by shifting dietary preferences and the sport’s surging global popularity.
Chief national coach Pullela Gopichand highlighted the urgency of moving away from natural feathers, noting, “The sport has grown exponentially, and between China, Indonesia, and India, we account for nearly two-fifths of the world’s population consuming shuttles.” He warned that reliance on poultry farming, affected by reduced duck and goose rearing in China, is unsustainable, predicting a breakthrough in synthetic or lab-grown alternatives within five years. Gopichand also suggested that India’s research institutions, such as IITs, could lead in developing feather-like materials to reduce dependency on Chinese imports.
The Badminton Association of India (BAI) and Yonex India are grappling with immediate supply challenges. BAI secretary Sanjay Mishra confirmed that shipments from Yonex, expected around August 20, will stabilize supplies for national camps, but long-term solutions remain elusive.
Karan Dhar, Managing Director of Yonex India, acknowledged the severity of the raw material shortage, noting that even shifting production outside China offers little relief due to the dependence on Chinese feathers. Efforts to develop synthetic shuttles are underway, but current plastic alternatives lack the control and accuracy of feather shuttles, according to discussions with the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
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The soaring costs, compounded by a 12 percent GST on imports, have made badminton prohibitively expensive for many players. Dhar proposed that government intervention, such as reducing import duties, could alleviate financial pressures. India’s domestic production units in Kerala and West Bengal struggle to match the scale and quality of Chinese imports, further highlighting the need for innovation.
Gopichand emphasized the broader implications: “Shuttle costs are already a big reason why badminton is so expensive. If we can bring them down, the sport will grow even bigger.” He cautioned that the sport’s future hinges on finding alternatives, as past disruptions like bird flu and current scarcity underscore the risks of depending on natural resources. With India’s badminton community rallying for solutions, the race is on to secure a sustainable future for the sport.
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