Instant noodle production volume in China 2015-2022

In 2022, China's food industry produced 5.03 million metric tons of instant noodles, a slight decrease from the previous year. It represented the lowest level of instant noodles production in China since 2015.

The world’s largest instant noodle market

By far, China is the world's largest producer and market of instant noodles. In 2021, mainland China and Hong Kong consumed nearly 44 billion servings of instant noodles, more than tripling the amount consumed in Indonesia , which ranked second. Instant noodles are one of the most popular convenience foods among Chinese consumers across all generations. Ting Hsin International, the company that owns China's most popular instant noodle brand, Master Kong, dominated the market for instant noodles in China.

From cheap alternatives to culinary delicacies

In China, instant noodles have long been associated as a cheap meal alternative. Nevertheless, consumers of today view them differently. In recent years, Chinese noodles eaters have become more interested in high-end instant noodles, which are made from fresh ingredients and are not fried. According to a survey in 2022 among Chinese instant noodles buyers, nearly a third of respondents said they would pay more than five yuan for a bag of instant noodles.