Global instant noodle demand reaches record 124.21 billion servings in 2025

Worldwide consumption rises 0.7%

Global demand for instant noodles reached a record 124.21 billion servings in 2025, an increase of 0.7% from the previous year, according to the Osaka-based World Instant Noodles Association (WINA). The result was the highest in the available five-year series and underlined the product’s scale as an affordable, shelf-stable food across both mature and expanding consumer markets.

China remained the largest market, consuming 43.27 billion servings, although demand declined 1.2% year on year. The country represented 35% of worldwide consumption. Indonesia ranked second with 14.54 billion servings, down 1% in its first decrease in five years. India placed third at 9.6 billion servings after an 8.9% increase, the strongest demand growth reported among the leading markets in 2025.

Vietnam leads on consumption per person

Vietnam ranked fourth with 8.23 billion servings. Dân trí reported that consumption increased from 8.13 billion servings in 2023 to 8.14 billion in 2024 and 8.23 billion in 2025. A more precise figure cited by Znews through Báo Mới put 2025 demand at 8.231 billion servings, about 94 million more than in 2024. Vietnam accounted for approximately 6.6% of global demand and was Southeast Asia’s second-largest market after Indonesia.

With a population of 102.3 million in 2025, Vietnam consumed an average of 80.7 servings per person, the highest rate globally. That equates to roughly one serving every four to five days. Indonesia, by comparison, consumed about 51 servings per person; Vietnam’s per-capita rate was approximately 59% higher. WINA said distribution was expanding in Vietnam’s suburban areas and described market growth as stable.

Vietnamese demand nevertheless remained about 4% below its 2021 level of 8.557 billion servings, when pandemic restrictions supported consumption of ready-to-eat foods. Volumes fell to 8.48 billion in 2022 and 8.127 billion in 2023 before recovering. Since the 2023 low, the market has added about 104 million servings over two years. WINA identified hot-and-sour shrimp as the country’s most popular flavor and noted the presence of rice-noodle products alongside wheat-based noodles.

Retail formats shape product mix and pricing

A Q&Me survey conducted at the end of 2025 across 29 outlets in Ho Chi Minh City found substantial differences between retail channels. The sample covered nine supermarkets, 10 minimarkets and 10 convenience stores. Supermarkets carried an average of 149 noodle products, compared with 74 at minimarkets and 64 at convenience stores.

Packet noodles represented 72% of listings in supermarkets and minimarkets. Convenience stores had a different mix: packets accounted for 28%, cups for 44% and bowls for 28%, reflecting greater emphasis on products for immediate consumption. Average packet prices were 11,000 dong in supermarkets, 10,000 dong in minimarkets and 14,000 dong in convenience stores. Bowl noodles averaged 21,000 dong, 17,000 dong and 25,000 dong, respectively. Depending on the format, convenience-store prices were 20-47% above minimarket levels.

WINA also warned that US trade policies, Middle East tensions and higher raw-material prices affected input and product costs in 2025. Asian export sales declined amid geopolitical risks and cost pressure, and the association expects these conditions to continue affecting procurement and pricing strategies. For manufacturers and retailers, the record headline therefore combines modest volume expansion with persistent margin risks and sharply different opportunities across national and retail markets.