Ottogi Overtakes Samyang in Ramen Sales

SEOUL, KOREA- A clear change occurred in the ranks of the Korean ramen market that has remained unchanged for decades.Ottogi has overtaken Samyang in the Korean ramen market, maintaining its No. 2 spot for seven consecutive months. Ottogi solidified its No. 2 position in the domestic ramen market during the period from December 2012 to June 2013.

According to AC Nielsen data, Nongshim achieved the largest market share of 67.7 percent in the first half of this year among the nation’s top four ramen makers. Following Nongshim were Ottogi with a share of 13.2 percent, Samyang with 11 percent, and Paldo with 8.1 percent.

Compared to last year’s cumulative market share, Nongshim and Ottogi marked a 4.8 percentage point and a 2.1 percentage point growth, respectively, while Samyang and Paldo suffered a negative growth of 4.6 percentage points and 2.3 percentage points, respectively.

Samyang and Paldo achieved higher market share in the first half of last year due to the popularity of white soup ramen such as Nagasaki Champon and Kokomen. Their market share for the first half of this year, however, fell due to the decline in the popularity of white soup ramen.