Business · Companies · 15 hrs ago
Nongshim opens Busan export plant, raising annual supply capacity to 1.2 billion noodles
South Korean food company Nongshim has opened an export-focused ramen plant in Busan to meet overseas demand.
The factory began operating on October 29 and can make up to 500 million packs a year.
Adding its output to existing export production in Busan and Gumi raises Nongshim's domestic export capacity to 1.2 billion packs annually.
The plant uses AI and automated equipment to switch products faster and check packaging for defects or foreign objects.
Nongshim plans to use the added capacity to expand sales in established markets such as Europe and Japan, as well as India, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
The company is also developing a new stir-fried noodle product for global release as early as the first quarter of next year.
By 2030, Nongshim aims to raise overseas sales to more than 60% of its total and reach 7.3 trillion won in revenue.
Nongshim has started operating its first export-focused plant in Busan, lifting its annual domestic export supply capacity for ramen from 700 million units to 1.2 billion.
The plant began operating on October 29 and can produce up to 500 million ramen units a year.
It uses AI and automation to make different export products more quickly and to respond to overseas demand.
Nongshim plans to expand exports to existing markets and emerging markets including India and the Middle East.
The company aims to raise overseas sales to at least 60% of total revenue and reach 7.3 trillion won in total sales by 2030.
- Who
- Nongshim, a South Korean food company.
- What
- It has started operating its first export-focused ramen plant, increasing annual domestic export supply capacity to 1.2 billion units.
- When
- The plant began operating on October 29; the report was published on November 8, 2026.
- Where
- The plant is in the Noksan area of Busan, South Korea.
- Why
- Nongshim says the plant will help it respond quickly to overseas demand and expand exports.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Noksan export-focused plant began operating.
Yonhap visited the plant and reported on its automated systems and production equipment.
Yonhap published its report on the plant and Nongshim's export plans.
- Annual export supply capacity
- 1.2 billion ramen units, up from 700 million
- Plant annual production capacity
- Up to 500 million ramen units
- Production lines in operation
- Three: two for bagged noodles and one for cup noodles
- Total annual production capacity
- Up to 6.2 billion units across Nongshim's facilities
- 2030 sales target
- 7.3 trillion won in total sales
- 2030 overseas sales target
- At least 60% of total revenue
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What people are saying
The purpose of introducing AI is not to reduce staff, but to help field workers produce quality products with less physical effort.
We expect to improve productivity by 17–18% by improving equipment functions.
Global consumers now want new products, so we are strengthening our product planning process to introduce new products at least once or twice a year.