The exports of Korean-made ramen to Japan plunged last year. According to industry sources and Korea Agro-Fisheries Trade Corp. on January 25, the total export amount of the instant noodle last year was US$24,479,000, down 23.5 percent from the previous year's $32,001,000. In terms of volume, it fell 26.0 percent to 7,474 tons from 5,534 tons.
The ramen exports to Japan peaked in 2011 at $52,782,000 (11,405 tons) after rising from $29,092,000 (7,930 tons) in 2009 and $39,053,000 (9,490 tons) in 2010. In 2012, it declined to $42,931,000 (8,681 tons). Accordingly, Japan became last year the second largest destination for Korean ramen after the United States ($26,105,000 and 7,135 tons).
Industry officials said the abrupt drop in Korean-ramen consumption may be due to the rising anti-Korean sentiments since late 2012 when the current Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took office.
As the ramen exports to Japan were cut in half in three years since 2011, the industry is trying to put more marketing efforts in the Chinese market. The export volume to China has increased 13.4 percent to 5,493 tons last year from 4,842 tons in 2013. For example, Nongshim reported its Chinese sales have grown 28 percent last year from 2013, a record-high level.
Source: The Korea Economic Daily
