PUBLISHER: The Insight Partners | PRODUCT CODE: 1713253
PUBLISHER: The Insight Partners | PRODUCT CODE: 1713253
The instant noodles market size is valued at US$ 58.14 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach US$ 87.13 billion by 2031; it is estimated to register a CAGR of 6.0% from 2025 to 2031.
The instant noodles market is a vibrant and growing segment in the broader food industry, owing to urbanization, changing lifestyles, and a surge in demand for convenient and affordable meal options. The primary consumers in urban areas are students and working professionals seeking quick meal solutions, owing to their significant popularity in younger demographics and lower to middle-income groups, as the product is affordable and easy to prepare. Major players such as Nissin and Ajinomoto dominate the landscape, along with international brands Nestle and Unilever, providing various flavors and affordable pricing that cater to diverse consumer tastes. The consumption rate of instant noodles is increasing due to continued innovation and development of new flavors, packaging formats, and preparation methods to retain and attract consumers. In addition, the rise in the number of retail chains and the availability of instant noodles in supermarkets, hypermarkets, convenience stores, and online retail have expanded accessibility to a broader consumer base.
The consumption of high-quality convenience food has become one of the main trends in the food industry. Convenience food, such as ready-to-eat (RTE) and ready-to-cook (RTC) products, saves consumers' time and effort associated with ingredient shopping, meal preparation, cooking, consumption, and post-meal activities. As per the Food and Health Survey of the International Food Information Council (IFIC), convenience is a significant factor of consideration for millennials while purchasing food. Instant noodles are processed and involve preservation technology, which significantly extends product shelf life. The efforts and time saved on food preparation and its convenience of storage and transport have further aided in boosting the demand for instant noodles. A few categories of instant noodles can be eaten immediately or after adding water, heating, or thawing. Most instant noodles can be made in 2-5 minutes.
Based on the distribution channel, the instant noodles market is segmented into supermarkets and hypermarkets, convenience stores, online retail, and others. Supermarkets and hypermarkets are large retail establishments that offer a wide range of products, including groceries, food and beverages, and other household goods. These distribution channels offer a convenient and familiar environment for consumers to explore and purchase frozen bakery products, aligning with the broader trend of making such products easily accessible. Owing to their large customer base, manufacturers in the frozen bakery product industry typically prefer to sell their goods through supermarkets and hypermarkets. In addition, these stores offer attractive discounts, multiple payment options, and a pleasant customer experience. Therefore, rapid urbanization, competitive pricing, and a rise in the working-class population boost the popularity of supermarkets and hypermarkets.
A few players operating in the instant noodles market include Nissin Foods Holdings Co Ltd, Unilever Plc, Nestle SA, Nongshim Co Ltd, Ajinomoto Co Inc, Maruchan Inc, Samyang Food Co Ltd, Konjac Massas MF, ITC Ltd, and Campbell's Co, and among others. Players operating in the instant noodles market focus on providing innovative and healthy products at affordable prices to fulfill customer demand.
The overall instant noodles market size has been derived using both primary and secondary sources. To begin the research process, exhaustive secondary research has been conducted using internal and external sources to obtain qualitative and quantitative information related to the market. Also, multiple primary interviews have been conducted with industry participants to validate the data and gain more analytical insights into the topic. The participants of this process include industry experts such as VPs, business development managers, market intelligence managers, and national sales managers-along with external consultants such as valuation experts, research analysts, and key opinion leaders-specializing in the instant noodles market.