S. Korea’s instant noodle export hits the highest record ever

The instant noodle export in South Korea has reached a new record, and it is the highest-ever recorded result. Amid the continuous popularity of K-pop and K-content, the demand for K-food and other products continues to grow as well.

The exports of the Korean ramyeon reportedly went beyond the $200 million mark, and this was achieved in the first quarter of this year. This is the first time in history that the sales of the country’s instant noodles has reached this record number.

According to The Korea Economic Daily, the instant noodles of Korean brands that were manufactured in overseas-based plants are not included in the number since they were technically not exported. Based on the records of the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation and the country’s Customs Service, the initial export value of the ramyeon sold in Q1 was $280 million.

Since the exporting of Korean instant noodles started in 1969, this is the first time that it has surpassed the $200 million mark. The export value was 14.3% higher than the record that was set last year, which amounts to $181.93 million.

Industry experts believe that the expansion of ramyeon outside of South Korea was naturally accelerated by the popularity of K-dramas and other K-contents. Most of these shows and films show scenes or feature the Korean ramyeon thus, foreign viewers were influenced and would like to try them as well.

Moreover, Korean instant noodle makers have been building their factories overseas and have started local marketing of their products. This certainly contributed to the higher sales of the noodles.

Nongshim and Samyang Foods are currently the leading exporters of ramyeon, and the former has even set up manufacturing plants in the United States to keep up with the demand there and in other neighboring regions.

Photo by: Xiaoqian Gao/Unsplash