By Lee Jihae
Exports of ramyeon (instant noodles) broke a record high in the first half of this year.
Food industry sources and the Korea Customs Service on Aug. 7 said such shipments from January to June reached USD 383.4 million (KRW 497.6 billion), up 19.9% from the previous mark of USD 319.69 million set in the first half of last year.
The top market for ramyeon was China (USD 91.91 million), followed by the U.S. (USD 47.86 million), Japan (USD 30.32 million), Taiwan (USD 14.83 million), the Philippines (USD 14.77 million), Thailand (USD 14.6 million), Malaysia (USD 13.04 million), Australia (USD 12.77 million), Canada (USD 11.59 million) and the Netherlands (USD 11.3 million).
Ramyeon exports have steadily risen since 2015. In the first half of 2020, when COVID-19 struck the world, growth hit 37.4% from the same period in 2019. Shipments in the first half of last year grew just 5.8% but returned to almost 20% in the same half this year.
The increase in ramyeon exports was attributed to rising demand for instant noodles and other convenience food amid the pandemic, as social distancing enforced in most countries due to the coronavirus led to the decline of outdoor activities.
Yonhap News also ascribed the export growth to the global popularity of Korean content such as dramas, films and entertainment programs and the ensuing hike in global interest in Korean food.
A food industry figure told Yonhap that demand for Korean food is steadily rising due to Hallyu and that more large-scale distribution channels abroad are handling ramyeon.
jihlee08@korea.kr