Shipments of South Korean noodles to Russia in the first quarter of 2026 more than doubled compared to the same period last year and amounted to $15.5 million, according to data from the Korean Statistical Service (KOSIS).
The KOSIS statistics indicate that South Korean instant noodles are primarily exported to Russia, with rice noodles accounting for a small share of exports. Meanwhile, Russia’s imports of South Korean dumplings (stuffed dumplings) have begun to decline.
Exports of South Korean noodles to Russia reached $6.2 million in 2018, rose above $15 million by 2021, and surpassed $24 million in 2022. The most significant increase occurred in 2023, when shipments reached approximately $38 million. By the end of 2025, exports are projected to total about $52 million.
In March of this year, Russia ranked 11th among buyers of Korean noodles, with China, the United States, the Netherlands, Japan, and the United Kingdom leading the list.
On April 8, Nongshim, the largest producer of instant noodles (ramen) in the Republic of Korea, announced plans to establish a subsidiary in Russia in June as part of its strategy to expand into the Eurasian market. The new Russian division will serve as a regional hub for Central Asia, strengthening sales networks across neighboring CIS countries, including Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
