BADMINTON ECONOMICS: SHUTTLE PRICES TO RISE

** This NEW SHUTTLENWS REPORT is presented by badminton world champions YANG YANG and ZHAO JIAN HUA and by YANG YANG BADMINTON PRODUCTS **

August 25, 1997 (NEW SHUTTLENWS) - Badminton enthusiasts should be prepared to open their pocketbooks a little wider later this year as manufacturers of feather badminton shuttles have already announced price increases to their private label customers and wholesellers.

According to reports from China, good quality goose feathers that are used to make the badminton shuttle are in short supply this year. Some of the shortage is being attributed to several floods that devastated parts of China in late 1996 and early 1997.

Price lists from the manufacturers for deliveries starting in August to their private label customers and wholesellers show an average price increase of about 11 per cent for A grade and tournament quality shuttles. It is expected that this will translate to a 16 percent increase at the consumer level.

(mig)