Instant Noodles Market Report 2025

The instant noodles market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $59.16 billion in 2024 to $63.01 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to convenience and quick preparation, affordability and cost-effectiveness, extended shelf life and storage convenience, global expansion of instant noodle brands, cultural acceptance and adaptation.

The instant noodles market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $83.48 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to continued emphasis on convenience, diverse flavor innovations, rising demand for on-the-go snacking, product variations and health-conscious options, e-commerce and online sales growth. Major trends in the forecast period include customization and personalization, e-commerce and direct-to-consumer sales, plant-based and meat alternatives, globalization and cross-cultural fusion, technology and innovation.

The growing demand for ready-to-eat (RTE) food products is anticipated to fuel the expansion of the instant noodles market in the near future. RTE products refer to a category of food items that have been cleaned, cooked, and often packaged before being made available for consumption. These foods must be cooked to ensure the lowest internal temperature reaches a minimum level for a specified time during production to eliminate microorganisms that pose health risks. Foods in this category commonly include raw materials of animal origin, such as eggs, fish, meat, poultry, and ratites. For example, in 2023, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, a US-based federal agency, the total value of US processed food products exported increased to $36.59 billion, reflecting a 1.7% rise compared to previous years. Thus, the increasing demand for ready-to-eat food products will drive growth in the instant noodles market.

The growing global tourism industry is also expected to contribute to the growth of the instant noodles market. Tourism involves spending time away from home for leisure, recreation, and pleasure. Instant noodles have become a popular travel staple, particularly among budget-conscious travelers and those visiting areas with limited dining options. For instance, in February 2024, the International Trade Administration, a US-based government resource, reported that the number of international visitors to the United States is expected to increase to 77.7 million in 2024, up by 10.4 million, or 15.4%, from the 67.3 million recorded in 2023. As a result, the expanding global tourism sector will help drive the demand for instant noodles. Therefore, the anticipated growth in global tourism is expected to act as a driving force for the instant noodles market.

Product innovation has emerged as a key trend gaining traction in the instant noodles market. Leading companies in the market are focused on creating innovative products to strengthen their market position. For example, in April 2022, Yu Foodlabs, an India-based instant meal bowls brand, introduced two signature instant noodle bowls featuring unique and appealing flavors: Zingy Cheese and Chilli Manchurian. The Zingy Cheese noodles are crafted with cheddar cheese, spring onions, and corn kernels, offering 100% natural, ready-to-eat cup noodles that can be prepared in just 5 minutes by adding hot water, without any preservatives or artificial additives. The Manchurian sauce complements the noodles and vegetables perfectly. Both flavors, inspired by Indo-Chinese cuisine, are free from preservatives and offered at affordable prices.

Major players in the instant noodles market are strategically focusing on innovations such as quality improvers to gain a competitive edge. Quality improvers, also recognized as food additives, are substances incorporated into food to enhance attributes such as appearance, flavor, texture, or shelf life. In March 2023, Kemin Industries Inc., a US-based provider of specialty ingredients, launched VALTEQ. This unique line of liquid product solutions addresses common challenges faced by noodle manufacturers, including issues such as sticking, clumping, and oxidation. VALTEQ is a revolutionary product line designed to assist instant noodle manufacturers in producing higher-quality noodles while safeguarding against sticking to production molds.

In June 2024, DayDayCook, a US-based company, acquired Omsom for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is anticipated to accelerate product innovation at Omsom, cutting the time needed to bring new products from concept to market by half. DayDayCook plans to capitalize on operational synergies across its existing brands, including Nona Lim and Yai’s Thai, to streamline processes and boost profitability. Omsom, a US-based brand, is well known for its cooking sauces and instant noodles.

Major companies operating in the instant noodles market include Nestlé SA, Ajinomoto Co. Inc., Nissin Foods Holdings Co. Ltd., Hebei Hualong Noodle Group Changchun Food Co. Ltd., Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk PT, Master Kong Chongqing Convenience Food Co. Ltd., Acecook Vietnam Joint Stock Company, Nongshim Co. Ltd., PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk, Decker Sdn Bhd, Mamee Double Decker BHD, Aico Food Ltd., Samyang Corporation, Capital Foods Pvt. Ltd., Toyo Suisan Kaisha Ltd., Campbell Soup Company, ITC Limited, Unilever plc, Monde Nissin Corporation, TF Co. Ltd., Sanyo Foods Co. Ltd., Tat Hui Foods Pte. Ltd., Ting Hsin International Group, Uni-President Enterprises Corp., Jinmailang Foods Co., Baijia Food Group Co.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the instant noodles market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the instant noodles market report during the forecast period. The regions covered in the instant noodles market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the instant noodles market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Instant noodles are a type of noodle available in a pre-cooked and dried block, often accompanied by flavoring powder and seasoning oil. These noodles are typically crafted using finely ground wheat flour, mixed with alkaline salts to provide a distinctive texture and flavor. The purpose of instant noodles is to reduce the cooking time compared to traditional noodles.

There are two main types of instant noodles, fried and non-fried. Fried noodles involve deep-frying strips of wonton wrappers, resulting in crispy, fried wonton noodles. These noodles are packaged in various formats such as packets and cups, and they are distributed through channels such as supermarkets, hypermarkets, specialty stores, convenience stores, online platforms, and others.

The instant noodles market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides instant noodles market statistics, including instant noodles industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an instant noodles market share, detailed instant noodles market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the instant noodles industry. The instant noodles market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The instant noodles market consists of sales of Cup/Bowl noodles, Packet noodles, ramen, udon, soba, and yakisoba. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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