Global Noodles Market Research Report: Forecast (2024-2030)

Market Definition

Noodles are a common type of food, that originate from unleavened dough and are rolled into flat pieces, stretched, or extruded as elongated strips or strings. They come in many shapes, styles, and flavors; making them an essential element of the diet across multiple societies.

Market Insights & Analysis: Global Noodles Market (2024-30):

The Global Noodles Market size was valued at around USD 16.78 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 21.32 billion by 2030. Along with this, the market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of around 3.42% during the forecast period, i.e., 2024-30. As noodles are a popular food worldwide, innovative product variants, optimized shelf-life, and quality inventory are the prioritized factors considered to meet consumer growing demand. The market is driven by the rising regional and ethnic tastes and preferences among consumers. Consumers such as the millennial population base seek out diverse culinary flavors reflecting different cultures and cuisines. The majority of the population relies on cuisine variants like Asian cuisine, Italian cuisine, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, etc., for regional and ethnic culinary flavors in food items such as noodles. This shift in consumer behavior is boosting the demand and sales of noodles worldwide. In response to this, companies innovate and diversify their offerings to meet evolving customer preferences.

Moreover, a high surge in the health-conscious population, specifically young demographics leads to a significant shift towards craft and artisanal noodle ingredients. The artisanal noodles are gaining traction with a focus on nutritional & functional benefits. The noodles packaged in PET-MET/LDPE and MET-MET/LDPE are not affected by moisture and are highly acceptable because of their longer shelf life. These noodles contain healthier ingredients like atta instead of white flour (maida) and are enriched with essential nutrients.

In addition to this, the development of nutritious healthy noodles has incorporated soy-based functional food ingredients. These are enriched with proteins in significant proportions on each serving like Fat Soy Flour (FFSF- 47%), Defatted Soy Flour (DFSF- 43.2%), and Soy Protein Isolate (SPI- 90%) as per the recommendation of ICMR/NIN. The DFSF, FFSF, and SPI are the substitutes for wheat flour. Thus, consumer' shifting preference toward artisanal soy-fortified noodles in their daily diet is directly proportional to its sales, further boosting the market expansion for future scope.

In response to this, brands such as Nissin, Nestle, etc., have introduced a range of home-cooked noodles infused with standard flavors of masalas for quick and healthy appetizers. By capitalizing on a thriving demand in the global marketplace, this strategic shift improves nutritional content and increases operating profit.

Furthermore, premiumization has become a crucial concept for F&B businesses to stand out in today's competitive industry. Another factor propelling the noodle market expansion worldwide is the concept of ‘premiumization with natural additives’. The use of natural additives in noodles will achieve sustained market growth as few of the companies have initiated to include natural additives in noodles and noodle products in the past years. One such example is Kraft Foods which offers premiumize boxed-colored noodles products with natural ingredients like annatto, paprika, turmeric, etc. This factor has increased the popularity among consumers and is expected to witness vigorous market growth during the forecast period.

Global Noodles Market Driver:

Growing Tourism & Expansion of Restaurant Chains to Drive Market Growth – The growing tourism sector, particularly in countries such as South Korea, China, Singapore, the US, India, etc., has positively impacted the demand for noodles in the past years. With the growing disposable income and the presence of various tourist destinations in these countries, these are witnessing an influx of various tourists around the year. Hence, with the rising number of tourist arrivals across the countries, there is an expansion in the number of restaurants and cafes. In 2024, the Boon Group announced the opening of an Asian restaurant at Blossom Houston in Texas. In the food service sector, the growing restaurant revolution has led to the opening of new food outlets, advanced restaurants, and affordable pricing strategies. One of the primary and affordable food items on the menu is noodles and its-relatable dishes like soupy noodles, Egg Noodles, Rice Stick Noodles, etc. Hence, this is expected to drive the market growth during the forecast period as well.

Global Noodles Market Challenge:

Competition and Price Sensitivity to Hinder Market Growth & Expansion – The noodle industry is highly dynamic and competitive, presenting a significant challenge for brands to maintain their position amongst fierce competition and price-sensitive consumers. The expansion of the market with new entrants creates an opportunity for intense price wars that threaten even established brand profitability. Striking a balance between providing affordable prices while maintaining profitable margins remains the key obstacle. This balancing act becomes more difficult as customer preferences evolve, coupled with newcomer threats willing to undercut prices in pursuit of entering the market.

Global Noodles Market Trend:

Plant-Based or Organic Noodles Gaining Traction – There is a surging demand for plant-based foods, fostered by increasing concern regarding health & wellness among consumers who seek to incorporate more natural and less processed foods into their diets. In the current market scenario, the noodles industry has witnessed notable demand for gluten-free, and organic varieties that help in reducing the risks of chronic diseases and improve overall well-being. Plant-based noodles, made from ingredients such as lentils, beans, or whole grains, are perceived as healthier alternatives to traditional noodles that offer higher nutritional value and lower caloric content. Thus, the incorporation of organic supplements has opened up new market avenues for diversifying product offerings with revenue generation for market players such as Lotus Foods, Foodle Noodle, etc.

Additionally, the increasing prevalence of dietary restrictions, allergies, and ethical considerations, such as veganism and vegetarianism, have expanded the demand for vegan options, which plant-based noodles often fulfill. Hence, in recent years, the rise of the clean label movement has encouraged companies to launch simple and recognizable ingredients for organic noodles.

Moreover, consumers' inclination towards sustainable food choices due to environmental concerns has resulted in the popularity of plant-based noodles. These noodles are considered eco-friendly because they have a lower carbon footprint and are cultivated without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.

Global Noodles Market (2024-30): Segmentation Analysis

The Global Noodles Market study of MarkNtel Advisors evaluates & highlights the major trends and influencing factors in each segment. It includes predictions for the period 2024-2030 at the global level. Based on the analysis, the market has been further classified as:

Based on Type:

• Dried
• Instant
• Frozen

The instant segment holds a major share of the Global Noodles Market. The rising demand for convenience food options among consumers is driven by the heightened need for ready-to-eat and easy-to-prepare meals like noodles. Busy lifestyles or hectic work schedules embrace a large population towards convenience food products to get a variety of benefits, such as quick appetizers with longer shelf life. This inclination is a reflection of the fast-paced lifestyle and the rising number of working professionals who have limited time for meal preparation. Moreover, the introduction of instant noodles requires minimal cooking time and is available in a variety of healthier flavors, making them appealing to a wide demographic and fueling the noodles industry's growth & expansion. Companies such as Kellanova, Nestle, Nissin Foods, WickedGud, etc., boast a robust presence in the market and provide consumers with a wide variety of noodles, from instant options to fresh/frozen varieties.

This dominance can be attributed to several factors, such as convenience, affordability, global appeal, and innovation in food products. Moreover, instant noodles have gained popularity worldwide, transcending cultural barriers. Their versatility allows them to be adapted to various cuisines and flavor preferences, further broadening their appeal. For instance,

• According to the World Instant Noodle Association, in 2023 the highest consumption of instant noodles is in China/Hong Kong with 42,210 million servings, followed by Indonesia (14,540 million). In the global list, India is in the 3rd largest consumer category with 8,680 million servings”.

Continuous innovation in the instant noodles market has resulted in novel flavors, healthier alternatives, and enhanced product quality. These advancements have kept consumers engaged in this dynamic industry. The growth of this sector remains driven by factors such as cultural relevance, evolving lifestyles, changing health preferences, and globalization.

Based on End-Users:

• Households
• Restaurants & Food Service
• Travel & Hospitality
• Others

Restaurants, including fast-food chains, casual dining establishments, and fine dining, are significant contributors to the growth of the noodles market. Noodles are a versatile ingredient that can be used in a wide range of dishes, from quick and affordable meals to gourmet experiences. This versatility allows restaurants to cater to a broad customer base, driving up revenue. The globalization of food culture has increased the popularity of international cuisines, including Asian noodle dishes, which has expanded the market for noodles in restaurants. Restaurants often innovate with noodle dishes, offering customization options catering to individual tastes and dietary requirements, attracting more customers. The rise of food delivery services and the increased demand for takeout meals have boosted the consumption of noodles through restaurants.

Moreover, airplanes and trains contribute to the market through premium pricing for on-board meals. With their quick preparation time, compact form, and ease of packaging, noodles have become a popular option for in-flight and train meals. As the demand for on-board dining continues to grow along with travel and tourism industry figures, noodle dishes are becoming increasingly prevalent as they represent an ideal choice of cuisine in transportation settings.

Global Noodles Market (2024-30): Regional Projections

Geographically, the Global Noodles Market expands across:

• North America
• South America
• Europe
• The Middle East and Africa
• Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific is emerging as a leader in the Global Noodles Market. Product differentiation is significantly influenced by various factors, such as cultural taste, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, unique local tastes and regional variations also contribute to this phenomenon. Instant noodles have a long-standing history in APAC countries within the ready meals category. Its demand is growing every year, with approx. more than 100 billion servings are consumed annually. The consumption of instant noodles in the region is largely driven by major contributors like China, Japan, South Korea, India, and Indonesia. Approximately 40 billion packages of instant noodles are consumed every year in China, amounting to roughly 39% of global consumption. The Asia Pacific region's continued preeminence in instant noodle consumption is reinforced by its established market and the wide variety of flavors, along with developments in packaging.

Furthermore, with the growing popularity of Korean series among the population of Asia Pacific, the interest in their cuisine has also been positively impacted, particularly for noodles. This has further led to the expansion of Korean noodles and the launch of Korean variant noodles by other countries such as India, Singapore, etc. In 2023, Nestlé India Ltd., the leading player in noodles, launched Korean BBQ Chicken and Korean BBQ Veg flavors, entering the hot and spicy Korean noodles segment.

Moreover, the North American Noodles Market is enhanced by a consumer base that exhibits a penchant for premium and healthier noodle options. This market is distinguished by a notable shift towards premiumization, with a particular emphasis on artisanal and gourmet noodles. The retail sector in North America has responded to this by expanding its noodles offerings, thereby enhancing their accessibility to consumers. This expansion opens up new avenues for businesses to explore the niche noodles market.

Global Noodles Industry Recent Developments:

• In 2024, Lotus Foods introduced an enhancement to their Organic Asian Rice Noodle Line with two even better Pad Thai Rice Noodles in traditional and brown rice varieties.
• In 2023, Nissin launched the all-new fusion noodle flavors, Manchurian and Schezwan. Also, Nissin Geki Noodles, a new brand of Korean noodles, was introduced in the same year.

Gain a Competitive Edge with Our Global Noodles Market Report

1. Global Noodles Market Report by MarkNtel Advisors provides a detailed & thorough analysis of market size & share, growth rate, competitive landscape, and key players. This comprehensive analysis helps businesses gain a holistic understanding of market dynamics & make informed decisions.
2. This report also highlights current market trends & future projections, allowing businesses to identify emerging opportunities & potential challenges. By understanding market forecasts, companies can align their strategies & stay ahead of the competition.
3. Global Noodles Market Report aids in assessing & mitigating risks associated with entering or operating in the market. By understanding market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and potential challenges, businesses can develop strategies to minimize risks & optimize their operations.