Global instant noodle consumption reaches record high.

Due to the impact of inflation on people's wallets, the world consumed 121.2 billion packets of instant noodles last year, an all-time high.

New figures were released by the World Instant Noodle Association, headquartered in Osaka, Japan. The data was calculated based on estimated instant noodle exports from 56 economies . Compared to 2021, instant noodle consumption increased by 2.6% last year.

Global consumption of instant noodles has increased steadily over the past seven years. By 2022, China, including Hong Kong, was the largest market, followed by Indonesia, then India, Vietnam, and Japan.

Global instant noodle consumption growth (billion packets). Graphic: Nikkei

In 2020, as many people were locked down due to the pandemic, global demand for instant noodles increased by 9.5%. This increase slowed to 1.4% in 2021, but then rebounded in 2022. This was due to soaring food prices in many countries caused by inflation, which prompted consumers to switch to instant noodles as an affordable option.

The instant noodle market is expanding particularly strongly in Mexico. Demand there surged 17.2% in 2021 and maintained double-digit growth last year, reaching 11%. In contrast, the North American market declined 1.4% in 2021, before recovering 3.4% in 2022. Instant noodles are popular throughout Asia, where noodle dishes are a long-standing part of culinary culture, but they are increasingly becoming widespread in places like the US and Mexico.

According to instant noodle manufacturer Nissin Foods, middle-class consumers who previously avoided instant noodles are now incorporating them into their diets due to inflation. Along with Nissin Foods, another instant noodle company, Toyo Suisan, also recorded significant profit increases from its overseas operations in the fiscal year ending March 2023.

Both companies plan to establish manufacturing facilities in the U.S. by 2025 to meet growing demand in the country as well as Mexico. "The number of consumers who regularly eat instant noodles is increasing, and we will be adding more flavor variety in the future," said Toyo Suisan.

The world's largest instant noodle markets (billion packages). Graphic: Nikkei

In Japan alone, major instant noodle companies raised prices by around 10% last year and again in 2023 to cope with rising raw material and packaging costs. A 10% increase for two consecutive years is unusual, but sales haven't dropped significantly.

Besides affordable products, consumers now also want products that save them time while still being nutritious. Therefore, instant noodle manufacturers are striving to improve their products by making them more nutritious and using better ingredients.

Phiên An ( according to Nikkei )

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