News
When sourcing OEM shuttlecocks from China, buyers often ask the same questions about pricing, raw materials, and delivery stability.
This FAQ is written from the factory perspective, to clarify common misunderstandings in today’s badminton market.
Q1: Feather prices are falling. Why are OEM shuttlecock prices still high?
This is the most frequently asked question—and also the most misunderstood.
OEM shuttlecock pricing is based on actual production cost, not real-time feather spot prices.
Most professional factories secured goose and duck feathers during the peak shortage period (2023–2024) to ensure uninterrupted production. These feathers were purchased at historically high prices and are still being used today.
Reducing shuttlecock prices immediately would mean selling finished products below cost, which is not commercially sustainable for manufacturers.
Q2: Can factories lower prices if buyers increase order volume?
Volume helps optimize production efficiency, but it does not erase raw material cost already locked in inventory.
For OEM shuttlecock factories:
Feather cost accounts for 70–90% of total cost (depending on grade)
Labor, energy, and compliance costs are fixed or rising
Inventory purchased at high prices must be consumed gradually
Large volumes may improve logistics and workflow efficiency, but they do not instantly offset historical feather procurement costs.
Q3: Why don’t factories use cheaper feathers to reduce prices?
Using lower-grade feathers may reduce cost in the short term, but it also results in:
Inconsistent flight performance
Reduced durability
Higher complaint and return rates
Reliable OEM shuttlecock factories do not downgrade materials silently.
Maintaining consistent feather grade is critical for long-term partnerships, especially for brands and wholesalers supplying clubs, academies, and tournaments.
Q4: Why are some suppliers offering much cheaper OEM shuttlecocks now?
In most cases, significantly lower prices indicate one of the following:
Lower feather grades or mixed batches
Short-term clearance of limited inventory
Factories under cash-flow pressure
Reduced quality control standards
These offers may work for one-off orders, but they often lead to unstable quality and supply risks over time.
Q5: Are large brands forcing OEM factories to cut prices?
The industry is changing.
Some international brands are investing in their own production facilities or vertically integrating parts of the supply chain. As a result, they pressure OEM factories to reduce prices aggressively.
However, experienced factories are increasingly selective.
Accepting unsustainable pricing would transfer all market risk to manufacturers while brands retain downstream pricing power.
Many OEM shuttlecock factories now prioritize balanced cooperation over pure price competition.
Q6: Will OEM shuttlecock prices come down in the future?
Yes—but gradually, not instantly.
As high-cost feather inventory is consumed and procurement cycles normalize, pricing flexibility will improve. However, this adjustment follows production cycles, not market headlines.
Factories that maintain stable pricing today are the same factories capable of delivering consistent quality tomorrow.
Q7: How can buyers work effectively with OEM shuttlecock factories in 2025?
Successful buyers focus on:
Long-term cooperation instead of spot pricing
Clear quality specifications
Stable order planning
Transparent communication on cost expectations
OEM shuttlecock manufacturing is a relationship-driven business, not a commodity trade.
Q8: What defines a reliable OEM shuttlecock factory?
A reliable OEM factory typically has:
Long-term feather sourcing channels
Consistent production standards
Experience serving international markets
Willingness to explain cost structures clearly
Price alone should never be the sole decision factor when sourcing OEM shuttlecocks.
Final Note from the Factory Side
OEM shuttlecock pricing reflects real costs, real inventory, and real risks.
Factories that stand firm on pricing today are not resisting the market—they are protecting production stability, quality consistency, and long-term supply reliability.
Understanding this reality helps buyers build stronger, more sustainable partnerships in a changing global badminton industry.
