Korean ramyeon exports exceed $400 million in 1st half of 2023

Ramyeon products are on display at a supermarket in Seoul. [YONHAP]

Korean instant noodles exports surpassed $400 million in the first half of this year, setting a new record for that period, on the widespread popularity of K-content abroad.

Exports of instant noodles, including ramyeon, reached $446.2 million from January to June, reflecting a 16.4 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to preliminary data released by the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation and the Korea Customs Service.

The upward trajectory of instant noodle exports in the first half of the year has been a trend since 2015 when the figures stood at $103.83 million. The exports exceeded $300 million in the first half of 2020 and surpassed the $400 million mark in the first half of this year.

The export amounts by country have not been released in the preliminary data.

During the period from January to May, China emerged as the leading importer with an export value of $70.99 million, or 20 percent of the total exports.

The United States followed, with ramyeon exports amounting to $47.55 million (13 percent), Japan with $26.18 million (7 percent), the Netherlands with $22.22 million (6 percent) and Malaysia with $19.60 million (5 percent).

Industry insiders attribute the surge in ramyeon and other instant noodles' popularity to the growing demand for instant food during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Moreover, the widespread dissemination of K-content and the sustained buzz on social media have contributed to elevating Korean ramyeon's global appeal.

Nongshim, Korea's leading noodle maker, had their products Chapaghetti and Neoguri featured in the award-winning film "Parasite" (2019), which showed a character making "Chapaguri," a combination of the two products. This boosted the company's global recognition and led the company to release a product of the same name.

The popularity of Korean ramyeon is further evident in Nongshim's performance.

Nongshim's U.S. subsidiary, for instance, recorded a sales growth of 40.1 percent and a 604.7 percent increase in operating profit compared to the same period last year.

The U.S. subsidiary accounted for more than half of Nongshim's total operating profit increase of 29.4 billion won ($22.6 million) during that time.

Samyang Foods, a noodle maker known for its Buldak brand, also reached a milestone.

The company became the first in the food industry to receive an award for achieving over $400 million in exports.

Its Buldak Ramen products have gained widespread recognition as it's associated with BTS's Jimin, who is known to be a fan of the product.

The viral "fire noodle challenge" on social media further expanded its popularity overseas.

BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]