The Rise of China’s Shuttlecock Manufacturing Hub: How Lu’an Became the Heart of the Global Feather Shuttlecock Supply

Introduction

Over the past few years, the price of badminton shuttlecocks has surged dramatically, making players around the world feel the pressure. What many people don’t realize is that behind this global price increase stands one small city in China — Lu’an, Anhui Province — quietly supporting nearly half of the world’s shuttlecock production.

With a century-old feather industry and an integrated supply chain from goose farming to finished shuttlecocks, Lu’an has transformed from a rural trading town into the world’s largest OEM shuttlecock manufacturing hub.

1. From Goose Feathers to Global Business

Lu’an’s success is deeply rooted in its feather and down industry. The city is one of China’s four major feather trading centers, with an annual industrial output exceeding 10 billion RMB (around USD 1.4 billion) and exports worth over USD 200 million.

Thanks to this advantage, shuttlecock manufacturing found the perfect foundation in Lu’an. Today, more than 40% of the training shuttlecocks used in China — and a growing share of international supply — are made here.

Major OEM shuttlecock factories like Yuxiang Sports, Sun Sports, and Wenjie Sports have established large-scale facilities, supplying feathers and finished shuttlecocks to world-leading brands such as Yonex, Kawasaki, and RSL.

2. Why OEM Shuttlecock Factories Cluster in Lu’an

Several key factors explain why Lu’an became the epicenter of OEM feather shuttlecock manufacturing:

• Complete Feather Supply Chain:
  Lu’an’s local white goose breed, Wanxi White Goose, provides premium-quality feathers known for their purity and resilience — ideal for professional-grade shuttlecocks.

• Skilled Workforce:
  The region’s decades-long tradition of feather processing has created an experienced labor force specialized in sorting, trimming, and slicing feathers for shuttlecock production.

• Government Support:
  The local government has invested heavily in feather industrial parks, automation, and financial incentives such as low-interest “feather industry loans” and subsidies for white goose breeding.

• OEM Expertise:
  Many factories here have 10–20 years of OEM experience, producing for both domestic and global brands with flexible customization, private labeling, and BWF-compliant quality systems.

3. Innovation Amid Rising Costs

In 2025, the cost of feather materials has nearly doubled, driven by global shortages of goose and duck feathers. Yet, Lu’an’s OEM shuttlecock factories have turned the challenge into innovation.

Companies have introduced semi-automatic and fully automated shuttlecock assembly lines, improving efficiency and consistency while reducing labor costs. Some factories even developed “split-feather” techniques to produce affordable training-grade shuttlecocks without compromising flight stability.

Meanwhile, higher-end factories continue to focus on durability, flight trajectory, and stability testing, ensuring their OEM products meet international standards for tournaments and training clubs.

4. The OEM Shuttlecock Factories Behind Global Brands

Lu’an’s factories are not anonymous suppliers — they are strategic partners powering some of the most recognized names in badminton.
Brands like Yonex, Victor, Kawasaki, and Li-Ning source feathers or finished shuttlecocks from the region, relying on Lu’an’s steady raw material supply and skilled craftsmanship.

As one OEM factory owner puts it:

“We don’t just make shuttlecocks — we make consistency. Every feather is hand-selected, and every shuttle is tested before packaging.”

This commitment to quality has made Lu’an the go-to destination for wholesale OEM shuttlecock orders from China.

5. Lu’an’s Billion-Dollar Future

The global badminton market reached USD 4.5 billion in 2025, with shuttlecock demand continuing to rise due to the sport’s growing popularity in Asia, Europe, and North America.
Lu’an’s factories are now expanding their product range to include badminton rackets, apparel, and accessories, building a comprehensive sports goods ecosystem.

As raw material shortages push up global prices, OEM shuttlecock factories in Lu’an are focusing on long-term stability — investing in sustainable goose farming, automation, and international partnerships.

Conclusion

Lu’an’s rise is a story of tradition meeting innovation. From humble feather trading to becoming the world’s OEM shuttlecock powerhouse, the city now shapes how badminton is played across the globe.

For brands and distributors looking for a reliable OEM shuttlecock factory in China, Lu’an offers what no other region can match — a complete supply chain, proven experience, and the craftsmanship behind every flight of the shuttle.