[Alpha Biz= Reporter Kim Jisun] According to Korea Customs Service trade statistics on the 19th, the monthly export value of ramen from South Korea exceeded $100 million for the first time. Last month's ramen exports amounted to $185.9 million (approximately 1.47 trillion won), a staggering 46.8% increase compared to the same month last year ($73.95 million).
This growth rate is the highest in nearly 23 months, since May 2022's 49.3% increase. Last month's ramen export value far exceeded the previous monthly record of $92.91 million in February.
Ramen exports have increased annually for nine consecutive years from 2015 to last year, and it is expected to set a record for the tenth consecutive year this year.
Although ramen exports hit an all-time high of $952.4 million last year, they fell short of $1 billion. However, with the current trend, it is possible to surpass $1.1 billion this year.
Ramen has seen increased demand as a convenient food item easy to store since the COVID-19 pandemic.
South Korea's ramen exports have doubled in four years compared to 2019 before COVID-19, reaching $467 million.
From January to April this year, ramen exports amounted to $378.86 million (approximately 500 billion won), up 34.4% compared to the same period last year, with export growth accelerating.
During the same period, the weight of ramen exports increased by 27.5% to 94,310 tons.
알파경제 Kim Jisun (stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
