Nongshim, a prominent South Korean food and beverage company, announced plans to construct a new “Noksan Export-Only Factory” in Busan, targeting completion by the first half of 2026. The facility, located in the Noksan National Industrial Complex, represents a significant investment of 191.8 billion won (approximately $142 million) and will substantially boost Nongshim’s production capacity to meet soaring global demand for Korean ramen.
The company’s overseas sales have skyrocketed in recent years, climbing from $800 million in 2019 to $1.3 billion in 2022, driven by the global K-ramen craze. To accommodate this demand, the new factory will feature three ultra-high-speed production lines initially, with the potential to expand to eight. This move is set to double Nongshim’s annual export ramen production to 1 billion units by 2026.
Equipped with advanced AI and big data technologies for quality control and predictive maintenance, the factory underscores Nongshim’s commitment to scaling up operations. With the expanded capacity, Nongshim plans to intensify its push into the European market and explore growth opportunities in South America, Africa, and Oceania.
This strategic expansion highlights the global rise of Korean cuisine, with Nongshim positioning itself to capitalize on the growing appetite for K-food products across the world.
