Retail Intelligence Mini Report: Instant Noodles

Market Trends: Instant noodle prices remained relatively stable across the 10 countries examined, generally ranging between USD 1.5/100 grams (g) and USD 2.5/100 g. However, there were some outliers. Instant noodles in Korea were considerably cheaper than any other country examined, coming in at USD 0.85/100 g on average. This is likely due to the highly competitive nature of the Korean instant noodle market, with many different brands and options available. Conversely, instant noodles in Mexico averaged USD 9.26/100 g, coming in as the most expensive market by a large margin.

Noteworthy Product: In the United States (US), Miracle Noodle High Protein Egg White Noodles stood out. It is made with egg whites and is high in protein (10 g/100 g) while simultaneously low in carbohydrates (<1 g/100 g) and calories (45 cal/100 g), making it a healthy alternative to traditional high-carbohydrate noodles. Consumers appreciate the taste and high protein content but feel the packaging size is too small, and the price is too high, resulting in a 3.9/5 rating.

Industry News: Korea’s exports of instant noodles, or ramyun, surged by 31.7% in the first eight months of 2024, totaling USD 800 million. Exports to China rose 26.9%, while exports to the US increased by a significant 61.5%. Furthermore, European nations such as the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Germany have shown heightened demand. To meet this growing international appetite, major companies like Nongshim and Samyang Foods are expanding their global reach, particularly targeting the US and European markets, with Nongshim establishing a sales division in Europe and Samyang constructing a new factory to boost exports.