Nongshim to make push into French retailers E.Leclerc, Carrefour

The brand behind Shin Ramyun and Chapagetti will be available at the two top retailers in France as they company eyes an expansion in Europe.

An advertisement for Nongshim's flagship Shin Ramyun is displayed at a bus stop in the Netherlands. [NONGSHIM]

Nongshim, known for its Shin Ramyun and Chapagetti brands, will sell a wider variety of its instant noodle products and snacks in France through the country’s top two retailers, E.Leclerc and Carrefour.

The food manufacturer plans to use its market expansion in the country as a springboard for entry into other Southwestern nations in Europe, such as Spain and Italy. It also plans to branch out in Northern Europe by partnering with local major retailers.

Ramyeon brands including the seafood-based Neoguri and the vegan Soon Ramyun will be stocked at E.Leclerc and Carrefour starting from June, according to the manufacturer on Tuesday.

The only currently available Nongshim noodle brand at the two French retailers, which make up over 40 percent of the country’s distribution market, is the company’s flagship Shin Ramyun.

Nongshim’s push into global markets with a more diverse product portfolio was made possible on the back of its success with its second factory in the United States, according to the company. Production at the factory, which broke ground on March 2022, increased Shin Ramyun sales in Canada and the United States and made it possible to launch other flavors.

The company is therefore looking into constructing a factory in Korea exclusively for products that will be exported to Europe and Asia. It is also looking to create a sales branch in Europe for local marketing purposes.

“The company is looking to expand into the European market, including in Southern and Northern European nations,” a spokesperson for Nongshim said. “We are also aiming to make a variety of Nongshim products available anywhere in the world by improving our production capacity.”

Nongshim recently lost its top spot in Korea’s instant noodle industry to rival manufacturer Samyang Foods for the first time in almost 25 years. The latter is set to reach 1.4 trillion won ($1.02 billion) in sales on the back of increased overseas revenue from its flagship Buldak ramyeon and related products.

BY KIM JU-YEON [kim.juyeon2@joongang.co.kr]