This year marks the 60th anniversary since the release of ramen in Korea, and its export revenue has exceeded 1 trillion won for the first time in history.
According to the trade statistics from the Korea Customs Service on Dec. 10, the export revenue of ramen from January to October this year reached US$785.25 million (1.04 trillion won), showing a significant increase of 24.7 percent compared to the same period last year. This signifies the ninth consecutive year of achieving the highest export revenue since 2015. Industry experts estimate that the actual export revenue for January to October is likely to exceed 2 trillion won when considering the volume produced in overseas factories and sold in the local markets.
Analysts attribute the sharp increase in ramen exports to the confluence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the popularity of Korea-related content in the market. A representative from the ramen industry said, “During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, overseas sales have increased significantly,” adding, “As people mainly eat at home, they have come to appreciate the advantages of Korean ramen as a suitable meal option compared to ramen from other countries.” Additionally, the growing content related to ramen on social media services and the widespread popularity of K-culture, including K-dramas, K-pop, and K-beauty trends, have contributed to heightened interest in the familiar Korean dish ramen.
The popularity of Korean ramen is credited to its unique features, notably an exceptionally spicy flavor that may be unfamiliar to foreigners, allowing it to stand out. Furthermore, its affordability and convenience compared to other instant foods make it easily accessible.
Ramen is exported to 128 countries, approximately two-thirds of the world’s 200 countries. In terms of export revenue, China leads with US$174.45 million, followed by the United States with US$107 million, Japan with US$48.66 million, the Netherlands with US$48.64 million, and Malaysia with US$39.67 million. It enjoys popularity across major continents, including the Philippines with US$30.90 million, Australia with US$30.16 million, Thailand with US$30.07 million, and the United Kingdom with US$29.80 million.
Looking at individual companies, Nongshim, the industry leader, had the highest export revenue to Japan this year. However, Nongshim operates production facilities in countries like China and the United States, leading to larger local sales volumes in those regions.
Samyang Foods manufactures its products exclusively in the domestic market, with the highest export revenue coming from China, followed by Southeast Asia and the United States. In Southeast Asian countries, active sales were noted in Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. The “Buldak Bokkeum Myeon,” or fire chicken stir-fried noodles, stands out as the best-selling product across all nations. Ottogi, similarly, produces over 90 percent of its goods domestically and exports them. The highest sales come from China and the United States, with a notable trend of rapid growth in sales across Southeast Asia, particularly centered around Vietnam. “Jin Ramen, Mild Flavor” is currently leading in popularity.