Instant noodles

The pinnacle of convenience foods, instant noodles, experienced growth with worldwide consumption growing 13% between 2019 and 2023, according to a group of instant noodles producers aptly named the World Instant Noodles Association. Instant noodles are traditionally popular in Asian countries with Vietnam, South Korea and Thailand having the world’s highest consumption per capita. In a world where food culture continues to globalize, consumers are supplementing their country’s cuisine with overseas staples. India traditionally has a rice-based cuisine, but the country saw a 29% increase in instant noodle consumption to 8.7 billion servings in 2023. High growth rates are also observed in Africa, with instant noodle consumption increasing 286% in Egypt, 167% in Kenya and 104% in South Africa between 2019 and 2023.

Source: World Instant Noodles Association, May 2024.