Nongshim, Samyang, Ottogi, and Others See Rising Overseas Popularity of 'Vegan Ramen'
Government Support Emerges as Domestic and Global Vegan Markets Expand
[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Saeng-hye] As the global market for vegans?complete vegetarians who do not consume any meat, fish, or dairy products?expands, domestic food companies are increasing their efforts to broaden the vegan ramen sector. With the worldwide rise in the number of vegetarians, the export scale of vegan ramen in the food industry is expected to gradually grow.
According to Nongshim on the 17th, overseas sales of 'Soon Ramen,' an export product of 'Vegetable Ramen,' have been increasing annually, reaching 4 billion KRW in 2016, 5.5 billion KRW in 2017, 7 billion KRW in 2018, and approximately 8.5 billion KRW last year. This product delivers a refreshing taste using vegetables such as onions, garlic, and ginger without using meat or fish. It is registered as a vegan product with the UK Vegan Society and is currently sold in the Middle East, Pakistan, the United States, and Europe.
Samyang Foods and Ottogi are targeting the Indian market, the world's largest vegetarian country. India is so strict about vegetarianism that all food products must bear a vegetarian certification mark. Since August last year, Samyang Foods has been exporting vegan versions of 'Delicious Ramen' to 13 countries including India, New Zealand, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, and Nepal. They are also exporting a vegan version of 'Kimchi Ramen' that does not use salted seafood. Samyang Foods has even established a dedicated production line at its domestic factory for vegan ramen production. So far, sales from vegan ramen in overseas markets have reached about 500 million KRW. The company plans to expand its vegan line to include Samyang Ramen, Buldak Bokkeummyeon, Kimchi Ramen, and Sriracha Bokkeummyeon in the future.
Since March 2018, Ottogi has been exporting 'Vege Jin Ramen,' a vegan version of 'Jin Ramen,' to India. Sales have been increasing annually, and the company plans to further expand sales through localization. In November last year, Ottogi also launched 'ChaeHwang,' a ramen for vegetarians made with 10 kinds of vegetables. ChaeHwang was registered as a vegan product with the Vegan Society in December last year. An Ottogi representative stated, "We are currently reviewing the possibility of exporting ChaeHwang products overseas."
Interest in vegan foods, including vegan ramen, is also growing domestically. According to the Korea Vegetarian Union, the number of vegetarians in Korea surged to 1.5 million last year, with about 500,000 being vegans. A Lotte Mart official, which has been conducting a 'Vegan Product Planning Exhibition' since the 30th of last month, said, "As of the 5th, total orders for the vegan exhibition increased by 47.9% compared to the previous year's average. In particular, ChaeHwang ramen and plant-based meat alternatives (Beyond Meat, Ennature Zero Meat) have gained great popularity, with sales increasing by 47% and 286% respectively compared to last year."
Following the government's recent selection and support of five promising growth sectors, including eco-friendly foods, the vegan food market size is expected to expand significantly. In December last year, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs held an Innovation Growth Strategy Meeting and Economic Ministers' Meeting, setting a goal to expand the market size of customized and special foods, functional foods, convenience foods, eco-friendly foods, and export foods from 12.44 trillion KRW in 2018 to 16.96 trillion KRW in 2022, and 24.85 trillion KRW by 2030.
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