Ramen Exports Nearly Triple in 4 Years... China Dominates as Top Export Destination

Last Year Ramen Exports Reached 137,000 Tons... Increased 2.74 Times in 4 Years

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Saeng-hye] Exports of ramen have nearly tripled over the past four years, showing a rapid increase. In particular, exports to China ranked overwhelmingly first, and Southeast Asian countries have also emerged as major export markets.

According to export-import trade statistics from the Korea Customs Service on the 25th, ramen exports by weight were 55,378 tons in 2015, 79,585 tons in 2016, 110,115 tons in 2017, 115,976 tons in 2018, and 137,284 tons in 2019, increasing every year. Ramen exports increased 2.74 times in four years from 2015 to 2019.

Export value was also recorded as $218.799 million in 2015, $290.366 million in 2016, $380.991 million in 2017, $413.094 million in 2018, and $466.996 million in 2019. This means it more than doubled in four years.

Especially, according to last year's country-specific statistics, exports to China ranked overwhelmingly first with 41,537 tons. This was followed by the United States with 14,908 tons, Japan with 9,638 tons, and Australia with 6,147 tons.

Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia (5,988 tons), Taiwan (5,962 tons), Vietnam (5,669 tons), Thailand (5,170 tons), the Philippines (4,251 tons), and Malaysia (4,222 tons) also ranked within the top 10.

Major domestic ramen manufacturers’ overseas business performance has also been favorable every year. Nongshim, the market leader in ramen market share, saw its overseas business sales increase from $635 million in 2016, $645 million in 2017, $740 million in 2018, to $800 million in 2019. In the first half of this year alone, it recorded sales of $520 million, achieving 65% of last year’s full-year sales in just six months.

In particular, Nongshim operates local subsidiaries in the United States, China, Japan, Australia, and Vietnam, so Nongshim’s overseas business sales combine the volume exported from Korea and the volume produced directly by overseas subsidiaries. Nongshim’s representative export products include Shin Ramyun, Neoguri, Chapagetti, Yukgaejang Bowl Noodles, and Kimchi Bowl Noodles.

Samyang Foods’ overseas business also experienced strong growth. The export status of Samyang Ramen’s noodle division was 29.4 billion KRW in 2015, 91.6 billion KRW in 2016, 203.6 billion KRW in 2017, 198.5 billion KRW in 2018, and 265.7 billion KRW in 2019, showing rapid growth. Samyang Foods does not have overseas subsidiaries, so most of the volume is exported from Korea. Although sales slightly decreased in 2018, sales increased ninefold in four years. This year, the first half overseas business sales reached 179.7 billion KRW, exceeding 67% of last year’s total sales.

Samyang Foods’ flagship product, the Buldak (Hot Chicken) brand, saw overseas business sales increase from 9.8 billion KRW in 2015, 66.1 billion KRW in 2016, 179.6 billion KRW in 2017, 173 billion KRW in 2018, to 240 billion KRW in 2019. China is the largest export country, accounting for 50% of total exports, followed by Southeast Asia, which accounts for about 40% of exports, according to Samyang Foods. In particular, Samyang Foods explained that obtaining halal certification from the early stages of export and actively targeting the Muslim market was effective in expanding exports.

Ottogi also exported ramen worth approximately 55 billion KRW last year, an increase of more than 20% compared to 2018. Especially this year, it exported about 40 billion KRW worth in the first half alone, reaching 72.7% of last year’s total.

A food industry official said, "The spicy taste of Korean ramen is capturing the taste buds of overseas locals," adding, "As people spend more time at home, demand for ramen is also increasing, so it is expected that the growth trend will continue."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.