China’s Hidden Billion-Dollar Shuttlecock Industry: How Lu’an Became the Heart of Global OEM Feather Shuttlecock Manufacturing

Over the past few years, badminton enthusiasts worldwide have noticed one trend — shuttlecocks are getting more expensive than ever.
What used to be a low-cost sport has turned into a “luxury hobby.” Prices for professional-grade feather shuttlecocks have surged by more than 50%, and some premium models now cost almost as much as gold per gram.

Behind this price surge lies a small city in eastern China — Lu’an, Anhui Province, quietly powering a billion-dollar feather shuttlecock industry.

1. Lu’an: The Core of China’s Feather Shuttlecock Supply Chain

Lu’an has emerged as the most important shuttlecock manufacturing hub in China, producing about 40% of the nation’s training-grade shuttlecocks.
The city benefits from its long-established goose feather and down industry, complete with a full supply chain — from hatching and breeding to feather washing, sorting, and processing.

• 24 feather trading markets

• 142 feather collection stations

• Over 1,000 feather-related enterprises

• 20+ companies with annual output above RMB 100 million

Factories such as Yuxiang Sports, Taiyang, and Wenjie Sports supply international brands like Yonex, Victor, and Kawasaki.
The region’s local breed, the Wanxi White Goose, is famous for its clean, strong feathers — an essential material for high-quality OEM feather shuttlecock production.

2. From “Goose Feather Traders” to Global OEM Shuttlecock Manufacturers

Lu’an’s feather industry started decades ago with small family workshops.
In the 1970s and 80s, local villagers traveled from house to house collecting feathers in exchange for small goods — a trade once called “chicken feather for candy.”

As goose farming expanded in the 1990s, many locals turned their small-scale feather collection into industrialized feather processing businesses.
By the 2000s, Lu’an’s craftsmen began producing shuttlecock slices and soon became key OEM suppliers to major badminton brands.

Today, companies in Lu’an can produce over 8 million shuttlecocks annually, exporting to more than 80 countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, India, and Europe.

3. The Power of Industrial Clusters

Lu’an’s shuttlecock ecosystem centers around towns like Ganchahe and Xinan — both of which are thriving manufacturing bases.

• Ganchahe Town produces 8 million dozen shuttlecocks annually, with more than 30 companies exceeding RMB 10 million in output.

• Xinan Town hosts over 50 feather and shuttlecock factories, contributing RMB 6.5 billion in annual industrial output and creating 8,000 local jobs.

This industrial clustering has helped Lu’an dominate China’s OEM shuttlecock production. Factories can easily source feathers, parts, packaging, and even logistic services all within the same region — lowering costs and improving efficiency for wholesale OEM shuttlecock from China.

4. Government Support and Technological Upgrades

Local governments in Lu’an have been actively supporting the feather and shuttlecock industries through tax incentives, land support, and innovation grants.

Since 2012, large industrial parks like the Nanju Industrial Zone have attracted investment exceeding RMB 2 billion, creating standardized production facilities and encouraging automation.

Companies have upgraded their production lines with semi-automatic feather inserting machines, doubling output while maintaining stable flight quality — a critical factor for OEM badminton shuttlecock manufacturers in China.

In addition, the government has introduced special financing tools such as “Feather Loan” and “Goose Loan” to help farms expand and modernize.

5. The Feather Supply Advantage: Wanxi White Goose

One of Lu’an’s biggest strengths is its natural resource advantage.
The Wanxi White Goose, a breed native to Anhui, produces feathers that are both thick, elastic, and highly durable — perfect for professional-grade shuttlecocks.

In 2024 alone, Lu’an’s goose farming scale reached 18.8 million birds, ranking first in Anhui Province.
This ensures a steady and traceable supply of raw feathers, giving Lu’an factories a unique edge in producing premium OEM feather shuttlecocks that meet international quality standards.

6. Responding to Global Shortages and Market Shifts

With global feather shortages and prices doubling since 2023, Lu’an’s manufacturers are innovating fast:

• Producing dual-slice “mini-feather” shuttlecocks to increase output and lower cost.

• Developing hybrid feather shuttlecocks for the training segment.

• Expanding into synthetic shuttlecock R&D to hedge against raw material fluctuations.

These adaptations not only stabilize prices but also strengthen Lu’an’s position as the leading wholesale OEM shuttlecock supplier from China.

7. The Future: From Local Workshops to Global Brands

As badminton participation grows — now exceeding 700 million players worldwide — the demand for high-quality shuttlecocks will continue to rise.
China’s shuttlecock market alone is projected to exceed RMB 30 billion by 2025.

With deep supply chain roots, technical expertise, and OEM experience, Lu’an’s shuttlecock factories are poised to become the global center for both production and export.

For international buyers and badminton brands seeking reliable OEM shuttlecock partners, Lu’an offers the perfect balance of quality, scalability, and sustainability.