Nongshim is enhancing its worldwide growth by establishing a new subsidiary in Moscow in June to focus on Russia and nearby markets.
The firm announced on Wednesday that it will create Nongshim Rus in Moscow, representing its eighth foreign subsidiary after initiating its European branch in the Netherlands in March 2025.
The decision is made as the exports of Korean instant noodles increasingly flourish in Russia. Last year, the nation’s imports of Korean instant noodles totaled $52 million, a 58 percent increase from the previous year, fueled partly by the worldwide appeal of K-pop and Korean content on streaming services.
The entire instant noodles market in Russia has been expanding since the COVID-19 pandemic, when the global demand for convenient meals at home increased significantly.
Referencing data from Euromonitor, Nongshim indicated that the Russian market is anticipated to expand at a yearly rate exceeding 10 percent from 2021 to 2030, with the market size estimated to hit 1.5 trillion won ($1.01 billion).
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Nongshim aims to establish its signature Shin Ramyun and other important items as high-end products. Although the majority of instant noodles in Russia cost between 70 rubles ($0.89) and 100 rubles, the company intends to set its products apart by offering them at 200 rubles or more.
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To access Russia's population of 146 million, Nongshim plans to broaden distribution via the largest private retailers in the country, X5 and Magnit, where its products are currently available.
Key e-commerce platforms, such as Ozon and Wildberries, will enhance their marketing efforts by introducing specialized brand channels. Marketing initiatives will additionally comprise social media campaigns on regional platforms and temporary events at festivals.
Products supplied to Russia will be produced primarily at Nongshim’s new export-only manufacturing plant in Busan, scheduled for completion later this year.
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Nongshim said Russia will serve as a strategic hub for expansion into Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and other Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) markets.