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New report reveals the crazy number of instant noodle portions consumed every year
The world can’t get enough of quick-fix ramen packets, with increasingly large oodles of instant noodles being consumed across the globe.
If you want a true indicator of how we, collectively, are doing as a society – simply look to the latest figures on our global instant noodle consumption. The quick and easy grab bags make for a versatile lunch or evening meal, and though they have existed for years – it would appear that our collected love for them is going nowhere.
World instant noodle portions jump to record high
According to the World Instant Noodles Association (yep, that is a real thing), the demand for noodles is higher now than it ever has been.
Back in May 2023, the Instant Noodles Association posted its annual estimations on the world’s combined noodle intake and for the fourth successive year, the figures followed a progressively positive trend.
As per the numbers, in millions of servings, the world consumed no less than a remarkable 121,200 units of instant noodles in 2022. That works out at 1.2 billion servings!
For reference, this is a jump of over three billion portions from the previous year – marking a 17% rise in instant noodles compared to 2018.
Foodies speculate about why noodles are getting more popular
Arguably the main benefit of instant noodles – beyond how easy to cook and adaptable they are, is their cost.
So it doesn’t take a genius to work out why, during a time of global post-Covid economic downfall the handy ramen snacks would be more popular than ever.
According to Japanese instant noodle giants Nissin Foods, who were quoted in The Guardian, the surge in noodles can be attributed to a growing number of belt-tightening consumers who are having to rethink their shopping choices: “Middle-class consumers who did not eat instant noodles before are now incorporating them into their daily lives .
Reacting to the news of its popularity, the noodle producers said: “The number of consumers who regularly eat instant noodles is going up, and we will increase our variety of flavors”.
Which countries love instant noodles the most?
Of the 50+ countries surveyed, China/Hong Kong consumed the most instant noodles in 2022 by a considerable amount.
They slurped their way through more than a whopping 45 billion portions, an impressive feat compared to the noodle consumers of Indonesia – who went through 14 billion portions.
Indonesia was followed by Vietnam, India and Japan – with the first non-Asian country, the US, entering the table at sixth place thanks to its five-plus billion portions.
Nigeria was the first African country in 11th place (2.79 billion servings), with the UK managing to just slide into the top 25 with 400 million servings.
You can check out the full table, along with facts and insight about the top 15 countries here.
