By Kim Yeojin and Yoon Sojung

With more people eating at home due to COVID-19, exports of Korean noodles and ramyeon (instant noodles) have posted impressive growth this year.

Such exports rose 32.4% to USD 572.57 million this year from January to October, according to a report on promising export items released by the Institute for International Trade of the Korea International Trade Association (KITA).

COVID-19 raised global demand for convenience food like instant noodles, which fueled the export growth.

According to the report's analysis of 58 countries based on nine indexes, China was named the market with the highest export potential for such products, followed by the U.S. and Hong Kong.

China received the highest rating for potential given its high import growth, its share of the import market, import volume and population.

KITA researcher Yoo Seo-kyung said, "Combined with the international attention they received after appearing in this year's Oscar-winning film 'Parasite' and their characteristic as emergency food amid COVID-19, Korean noodles have seen their popularity rise."

lvzhen@korea.kr