KUALA LUMPUR, Jul 15 — In China, the once egalitarian badminton has now jokingly been referred to as “a royal sport” online since the prices of shuttlecocks there increased by up to 40 per cent.

The unlikely reason for this price hike? Cheaper pork.

Singapore-based CNA reported that the price of goose and duck feathers – carefully plucked to make high-end shuttlecocks preferred over synthetic plastics ones – have increased following a fall in supply of the poultry meat.

“If pork prices increase, more butchery and farms will set an annual production goal depending on the prices of poultry,” Sun Xiongfeng, a founder of a badminton training facility, told the news portal.

“With a lower price point, pork will have higher consumer demand, resulting in fewer farmers willing to raise ducks and geese in comparison.”

CNA quoted Chinese government data showing that live pig prices have dropped continuously since November 2022, reaching 14.95 yuan per kg in March, nearly half the 28 yuan per kg from before.

Chief analyst for the pork trade at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhu Zengyong, was quoted by local news outlet Economic Daily attributing the drop to healthy pig production and abundant supply.

An anonymous feather collector in Hunan province was reported saying in comparison, prices of both duck and goose feathers have increased twofold to around 20 yuan and 40 yuan per 500g, respectively.

This resulted in prices of shuttlecock increasing by up to 40 per cent in the past six months for some brands, said the news report.

CNA said at least three brands – Yonex, RSL and Ling-Mei – have announced an increase in prices at the end of June, owing to rising production costs.

“I can’t afford to play any more,” Chow Zhengyang, 28, a Malaysian who has been studying in Beijing for 15 years, was quoted as saying.

Chow, who plays badminton at least twice a week, told CNA he now has to spend an additional 180 yuan a month on the shuttlecocks from the usual 280 yuan.

“I have been using RSL No 5 shuttlecock. It was 70 yuan before the pandemic, increased to 80, then 90, and now it’s 115 yuan,” he was quoted saying.

Not willing to compromise on the quality of his shuttlecocks, Chow has now found a stopgap solution: playing in doubles, so the cost can be shared with his friends.