hankyoreh

South Korea was found to consume the most instant noodles per capita in a study of 15 countries, with an average of 74.1 packages consumed each year.

The data from a 2013 study of South Korea, the US, Japan, China, and 11 other countries by the World Instant Noodles Association (WINA) were cited in a Dec. 19 report by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on processed food sub-markets for instant noodles (also known as ramen) and cooking oil. Indonesia ranked second for per capita instant noodle consumption with 60.3 packages per year, followed by Vietnam in third with 57.3 packages.

According to the ministry, “ramen,” which was first introduced in South Korea in 1963, is a market term that does not exist in the standard code for food production and specifications. Instant noodles are classified on the table under “fried noodles” or “regular noodles” (compatible dried noodles). They are further divided into packet and cup types, as well as type with and without broth (ordinary and rice noodles) and without (jjajang and mixed noodles, which aren’t served with broth).

South Korea was found to have produced 590,000 tons of instant noodles in 2013, valued at approximately 2,012.4 billion won (US$1.8 billion). Packet varieties accounted for 59.8%, followed by cup ramen (30.1%) and dried noodles (10.1%).

A sharp rise was also found in the production of cup ramen over packet noodles. The value of cup ramen production rose from a 363.4 billion won (US$330 million) in 2008 to 606.6 billion won (US$551 million) in 2013. The 67% jump was well above the 26.5% increase observed for packet noodles, which increased from 950.5 billion won (US$864 million) to 1,202.3 billion won (US$1.1 billion) over the same period.

Hot Shin Ramyun held down the first place ranking as the highest-selling brand for the four years from 2010 to 2013. It was followed last year by Jjapaghetti in second place, Anseong Tanmyeon in third, Neoguri in fourth, and Samyang in fifth.

Nongsim was the top-selling instant noodle maker last year, with shipments of 1.3 trillion won (US$1.2 billion). Next in line were Samyang (260.6 billion won/US$237 million), Ottugi (244.2 billion won/US$222 million), and Paldo (179.9 billion won/US$164 million).

Instant noodle exports also rose by 64% in five years, from US$130 million in 2008 to US$210 million in 2013. Imports increased slightly from US$1.22 million in 2008 to US$1.53 million in 2013.

By Kim Kyung-moo, agriculture correspondent

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]