24% Increase from Previous Year to $952 Million
9 Consecutive Years of Growth Since 2015
Global Interest Rises Riding the Wave of K-Content Popularity
Last year marked the 60th anniversary of the launch of K-Ramen, which gained popularity in overseas markets and recorded export sales exceeding 1 trillion won, achieving an all-time high.
According to the Korea Customs Service and the food industry on the 7th, last year, South Korea's ramen export value was tentatively estimated at $952 million (approximately 1.2 trillion won), a 24% increase compared to the previous year. The ramen export value had already reached $785 million by October last year, surpassing the previous annual record of $765 million set in 2022.
Annual ramen export value has steadily increased for nine consecutive years, rising from the $200 million range in 2015 to the $400 million range in 2018, $600 million range in 2020, and $700 million range in 2022. The popularity of K-content such as Korean movies and TV variety shows overseas, along with the exposure of people eating K-Ramen in these contents and on social networking services (SNS), has heightened global interest. The COVID-19 pandemic also contributed significantly as more people sought convenient meals, boosting exports.
Major domestic ramen companies are strengthening investments targeting overseas markets in light of this upward trend. Nongshim plans to expand the production line of its second factory in the United States in the second half of this year and start establishing a third factory in the U.S. next year. Samyang Foods is also continuing efforts to increase export volume centered on its overseas subsidiaries and has decided to build a second factory in Miryang, Gyeongnam.
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