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India’s instant noodles market tends to offer a dizzying variety — from fiery Korean Samyang Buldak ramen and Japanese UFO noodles to Singapore’s KOKA and Indonesian Indomie.
AI generated image: Global market research consulting firm Mordor Intelligence estimates India’s instant noodles market alone to register a CAGR of over 15 per cent between 2025 and 2030.
India’s food shelves have gone global, and the country, along with its growing expat population, is reaping the rewards. For perspective, India’s instant noodles market tends to offer a dizzying variety — from fiery Korean Samyang Buldak ramen and Japanese UFO noodles to Singapore’s KOKA and Indonesian Indomie — all at the tap of a Blinkit or Instamart order.
The numbers tell the story. Global market research consulting firm Mordor Intelligence estimates India’s instant noodles market alone to register a CAGR of over 15 per cent between 2025 and 2030. As per a Moneycontrol analysis, imports of Korean noodles and snacks climbed from US $1.5 million in FY 2020 to US $12 million in FY 2024, which is a staggering eight‑fold surge. And the World Instant Noodles Association ranks India third globally behind China/Hong Kong and Indonesia, with consumption of instant noodle servings amounting to over 8.3 billion in 2024.
Beyond Asia, India’s expat‑friendly pantry now includes niche imports from further afield. Australian and New Zealand based choices include Tim Tams, Whittaker’s, Vegemite and Manuka honey, which have small but loyal followings. Breakfast staples like Sanitarium’s Weet‑Bix and So Good milks are finding shelf space in urban India, catering to health‑focused buyers. Sweden’s Marabou chocolates and Wasa crackers, Finland’s Fazer, Germany’s Ritter Sport, and Stroopwafels from the Netherlands are fetched comfortably through quick gourmet e-commerce.
For expats, this means comfort food — once a suitcase luxury — now arrives in minutes. For retailers, it’s a lucrative opportunity. Global management consulting firm Kearney anticipates India’s quick commerce grocery market to grow threefold between 2024 and 2027, reaching about Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 1.7 lakh crore as demand ripples across the country.
| REGION | KEY BRANDS & PRODUCTS IMPORTED | INDIA’S CONSUMPTION VOLUME & CHANNELS |
| ASIA | Samyang, Nongshim, Paldo, Ottogi, Orion, UFO, Indomie, Meishi | Over 8.3 billion noodle servings in 2024 placing #3 globally, behind China/HK & Indonesia; estimated CAGR of over 15% between 2025 and 2030 |
| AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND | Tim Tams, Vegemite, Cherry Ripe, Whittaker’s, Manuka honey, So Good milks | Via curated import boxes and platforms; premium imported foods via specialty grocers |
| EUROPE | Pastas (Barilla, Agnesi, Garofalo, La Molisana, De Cecco, Rummo), Marabou, Fazer, Wasa, Daelmans Stroopwafel, Ritter Sport, Matilde Vicenzi | Gourmet e‑tail; rising urban niche demand. |
| AFRICA | Ouma Rusks | Demand from expat/health‑focused urban audiences increasing |
| NORTH AMERICA | Kraft Mac & Cheese, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Rip Van Wafels, Ben & Jerry’s, among others | Via supermarkets and quick commerce players; mainstream visibility across metro cities |
| SOUTH AMERICA | Yerba mate, Inca Kola | Gourmet e‑tail and specialty grocers |
| Sources: Mordor Intelligence, WINA, Q-Com giants | ||
It’s not a one‑way street, either. Indian brands have long been gaining traction overseas. Nestlé India’s Maggi, India’s unequivocal leader in instant noodles, is currently exported to Nestlé in Canada, UK, Singapore and Kenya, and to third parties in the US, Australia and New Zealand. Kotak Securities notes Haldiram’s presence in over 80 countries, supported by a network of 35 sole distributors. It established its first overseas factory in the UK in 2016. Earlier this year in February, the company launched its first international quick-service restaurant in Dubai. Meanwhile, Bikaji boasts a network of 550 distributors and over 250 varieties of sweets, snacks, frozen and instant foods through the likes of ras malai, rabri and milk cakes, prevalent in over 30 major American, Gulf and European countries. Parle’s cookies, Cheeslings and creme sandwiches are yet another popular choice. Catering to the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Middle East, the company has manufacturing units in several countries — Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Nepal and Mexico.
| KEY INDIAN BRANDS | GLOBAL REACH |
| Nestlé India (Maggi) | Exported to Canada, UK, Singapore, Kenya via Nestlé; to US, Australia, New Zealand via third-party distributors. |
| Haldiram’s | Presence in 80+ countries with 35 sole distributors; established first overseas factory in the UK (2016); launched its first international QSR in Dubai (Feb 2025). |
| Parle | 550 distributors, 250+ varieties (sweets, snacks, frozen & instant foods); strong footprint across 30+ countries (US, Gulf, Europe). |
| Bikaji | Presence in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ, Middle East; manufacturing units in 10 countries, including Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Ivory Coast, Nepal, Mexico. |
| Sources: Nestlé MENA, Haldiram’s, Parle, Bikaji | |
As per data from the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, India’s Exports of Ready To Eat (RTE) products rose by a considerable 24 per cent to $ 394 million in 2021-22 compared to the previous year, while India’s exports of Ready to Eat (RTE), Ready to Cook (RTC) and Ready to Serve (RTS) products collectively stood at over $2 billion in 2020-21. These products were shipped majorly to the US (18.73 per cent), UAE (8.64 per cent), Canada (4.77 per cent), Australia (4.2 per cent), UK (2.88 per cent), and Singapore (2.01 per cent).
|
INDIAN PRODUCTS |
EXPORT VALUE |
TOP DESTINATIONS |
|
Ready to Eat (RTE) |
$394M in 2021-22 (24% YoY) |
US (18.73%), UAE (8.64%), Canada (4.77%), Australia (4.2%), UK (2.88%), Singapore (2.01%) |
|
RTE + Ready to Cook (RTC) + Ready to Serve (RTS) (combined) |
$2B in 2020-21 |
Same key markets driving demand |
|
Source: As per data from the Ministry of Commerce & Industry |
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India has turned into a 24/7 global pantry, where expats find familiar home brands as easily as locals reach for local comfort snacks. Rising demand for imported foods and the outbound success of Indian snack brands underscore the country’s dual role as both a consumer and exporter in the global taste economy.
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