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 submarkets 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 US1.8 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 US330 million in 2008 to 606.6 billion won US551 million in 2013. The 67 jump was well above the 26.5 increase observed for packet noodles, which increased from 950.5 billion won US864 million to 1,202.3 billion won US1.1 billion over the same period. Hot Shin Ramyun held down the first place ranking as the highestselling 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 topselling instant noodle maker last year, with shipments of 1.3 trillion won US1.2 billion. Next in line were Samyang 260.6 billion wonUS237 million, Ottugi 244.2 billion wonUS222 million, and Paldo 179.9 billion wonUS164 million. Instant noodle exports also rose by 64 in five years, from US130 million in 2008 to US210 million in 2013. Imports increased slightly from US1.22 million in 2008 to US1.53 million in 2013. By Kim Kyungmoo, agriculture correspondent. Please direct questions or comments to englishhani.co.kr
South Korea leads in per capita instant noodle consumption, with an average of 74.1 packages per year. The country produced 590,000 tons of instant noodles valued at approximately 2,012.4 billion won in 2013. Cup ramen production notably rose, with Hot Shin Ramyun being the top-selling brand. Instant noodle exports increased by 64% in five years.