In a remarkable achievement, South Korea's ramen exports have soared to unprecedented heights, reaching a staggering $590.2 million in the first half of this year. This figure marks a significant 32.1% increase from the same period last year, highlighting the growing global demand for Korean ramen brands.
According to the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA), the surge in exports can be attributed to the rising popularity of Korean ramen worldwide, driven by social media trends and the widespread influence of the Korean Wave, or Hallyu.
KOTRA noted that viral challenges such as "spicy ramen challenges" on social media platforms have played a crucial role in boosting the visibility and appeal of Korean ramen brands. This trend has contributed to an impressive annual growth rate of 20% in ramen exports since 2019, with last year's total export value reaching $950 million.
To meet the escalating global demand, South Korean companies are ramping up their production capacities. Samyang Foods, for instance, expanded its presence by establishing a new subsidiary in Indonesia and is expanding production lines at its Miryang Plant 2. Similarly, Nongshim is considering the construction of a dedicated export-oriented plant in Korea, while Paldo has completed a new facility in Vietnam aimed at significantly boosting local production.
The focus of South Korea's ramen exports has shifted from traditional markets like the United States and China to Europe and Southeast Asia. From January to May this year, exports to Europe surged by 49.3% to $80.99 million, while exports to ASEAN countries increased by 24.8% to $81.65 million during the same period.
Industry insiders anticipate continued growth fueled by the expanding popularity of Korean culture globally and the ongoing development of tailored products to meet diverse consumer preferences.
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