Rice Noodles Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity and Forecast, By Product Type (Vermicelli, Stick, Wide, Others), By Distribution Channel (Online, Offline), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 7.23 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	8.78%
Fastest Growing Segment	Online
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 11.98 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Rice Noodles Market will grow from USD 7.23 Billion in 2025 to USD 11.98 Billion by 2031 at a 8.78% CAGR. The Global Rice Noodles Market centers on the production and distribution of noodles made primarily from rice flour and water, occasionally blended with tapioca or cornstarch to enhance texture. This market is currently experiencing robust expansion driven by the rising global demand for gluten-free and plant-based dietary options, as well as the increasing popularity of convenient, instant food formats suited for fast-paced lifestyles. The growing international appreciation for authentic Asian cuisines, such as Vietnamese Pho and Chinese Luosifen, further propels consumption. According to the Liuzhou Luosifen Association, in 2024, the sales revenue of the snail rice noodle industry alone exceeded 54.5 billion yuan (approximately 7.5 billion USD) during the first nine months, underscoring the immense economic scale of regional noodle varieties.

Despite this upward trajectory, the market faces a significant challenge in the form of raw material price volatility, particularly regarding rice crops affected by adverse weather patterns and climate change. Fluctuations in the cost and availability of high-quality rice flour can disrupt production schedules and compress profit margins for manufacturers, making supply chain stability a critical concern. These supply-side constraints, coupled with stringent international food safety standards for export, impose potential hurdles that could slow the broader expansion of the rice noodle trade in emerging markets.

Key Market Drivers

The Increasing Global Popularity of Asian Cuisines is a primary force propelling market growth, as regional specialties transition from niche ethnic dishes to mainstream global staples. Consumers worldwide are increasingly seeking authentic culinary experiences, driving demand for specific rice noodle varieties like Vietnamese Pho and Chinese Luosifen beyond their domestic borders. This cultural shift is supported by aggressive industrial scaling and export strategies in key production hubs. For instance, according to Global Times, February 2025, in the 'How Guangxi snack snail rice noodles becomes signature industry to fuel poverty reduction' article, the total sales revenue of the Liuzhou snail noodle industry chain was forecast to reach 75.96 billion yuan for the full year of 2024. Such massive valuation reflects how traditional rice-based dishes are anchoring the broader market's expansion.

The Expansion of the Instant and Convenience Food Sector further accelerates this trajectory, capitalizing on the need for quick, nutritious meal solutions in urbanized societies. Manufacturers are innovating with sophisticated instant rice noodle formats that offer superior texture and health benefits compared to traditional wheat-based ramen, appealing to time-poor consumers. This demand surge is evident in production volumes; according to The Investor, November 2025, in the 'Japan food major Acecook eyes new plant in southern Vietnam' report, Acecook Vietnam sold 3.3 billion noodle units in 2024 alone, representing a 7% year-on-year increase. This robust volume growth highlights the sector's vitality. Additionally, Western markets mirror this uptake; according to The Grocer, May 2024, in the 'Rice, pulses & noodles trends 2024' report, the value of the rice and noodles category in the UK increased by 16.2% year-on-year, reaching 821.5 million GBP.

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Key Market Challenges

Raw material price volatility represents a substantial impediment to the stability and growth of the global rice noodles market. Manufacturers rely heavily on consistent supplies of specific rice varieties to produce flour, yet adverse weather patterns and climate-induced crop failures frequently disrupt raw material availability. When rice yields fluctuate due to environmental factors, the cost of essential inputs rises unpredictably. This instability forces producers to encounter difficulties in maintaining competitive pricing structures, which creates significant hurdles for long-term production planning and supply chain reliability.

The financial impact of these upstream disruptions places severe pressure on downstream processors. According to the Thai Rice Exporters Association, in January 2024, the export price of 5 percent broken white rice surged to 669 USD per tonne, reflecting the acute cost spikes faced by manufacturers. Such sharp increases in the cost of the primary ingredient directly erode profit margins for rice noodle companies. Consequently, this volatility restricts the ability of manufacturers to expand into price-sensitive emerging markets, where affordability is a primary determinant of consumer adoption, thereby slowing the overall momentum of the sector.

Key Market Trends

The Development of Premium Artisanal and Hand-Crafted Rice Noodles is emerging as a dominant trend, fundamentally shifting the market away from commoditized mass production toward value-added, quality-centric offerings. This movement is characterized by a surge in demand for noodles made from specific, high-grade aromatic rice cultivars that offer superior texture and authentic flavor profiles tailored to discerning palates. Manufacturers are increasingly marketing the provenance and craftsmanship of their products to capture the premium segment. This focus on high-quality inputs is supported by robust trade in superior grain varieties; according to Xinhua, January 2025, in the 'Thailand's rice exports hit 6-year high in 2024' report, Thailand’s rice export value reached approximately 6.43 billion USD in 2024, a 27% annual increase driven largely by the global appetite for premium strains like Thai Hom Mali, which are essential for producing authentic artisanal noodles.

Concurrently, the Introduction of Sustainable and Biodegradable Packaging Solutions has become a critical operational priority for manufacturers facing stringent environmental regulations and shifting consumer expectations. The industry is rapidly moving away from single-use plastics in favor of compostable materials and circular packaging models, particularly within the fast-growing instant and delivery segments. This transition is being accelerated by government mandates in key Asian production hubs that aim to curb plastic waste in the food and beverage sector. For instance, according to the EU SME Centre, November 2024, in the 'Waste Reduction and Recycling in China's F&B Sector' report, regulatory frameworks in China have established a target to reduce single-use plastic consumption in food delivery packaging by 30% by 2025, compelling rice noodle producers to adopt eco-friendly alternatives to maintain market compliance.

Segmental Insights

The Online sales channel is positioned as the fastest growing segment in the Global Rice Noodles Market, driven by the expanding reach of e-commerce platforms and evolving consumer buying habits. Manufacturers are increasingly utilizing digital marketplaces to overcome geographical limitations, offering customers access to a diverse range of products not typically found in brick-and-mortar stores. Additionally, the convenience of doorstep delivery and the rising use of mobile applications for grocery shopping are significantly contributing to the accelerated adoption of this distribution channel globally.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific dominates the global rice noodles market due to the extensive consumption of rice-based products as a dietary staple across the region. Countries such as China and Vietnam leverage their substantial agricultural output to ensure a consistent supply of raw materials for large-scale production. This manufacturing capability allows the region to meet high domestic demand while functioning as a primary export hub. Additionally, the rising preference for gluten-free food options strengthens the market position, as local producers utilize established distribution networks to supply diverse consumer segments effectively.

Recent Developments

• In March 2025, Lotus Foods, a US-based company known for its organic and heirloom rice products, announced the launch of its new Organic Wide White Rice Ramen. The company crafted this product using a single ingredient—organic white rice—to provide a gluten-free alternative to traditional wheat ramen while delivering a superior texture. This launch was positioned to address the rising consumer demand for clean-label, allergen-free instant noodle options in the North American market, further expanding the company's portfolio of rice-based noodle innovations.
• In July 2024, Thai President Foods, the manufacturer of the renowned MAMA brand, launched a new export-focused product line titled "Thai ConNext" to capture the premium segment of the global market. This range was introduced with authentic Thai street food flavors, specifically featuring "Boat Noodles" which utilize rice noodles to replicate the traditional texture of the dish. The company developed these products to appeal to international consumers seeking convenient, high-quality Asian meal solutions that offer a genuine gastronomic experience beyond standard instant wheat noodles.
• In March 2024, Acecook Vietnam, a leading manufacturer in the instant food sector, commenced the construction of its new factory in the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long. The company designed this facility to produce a diverse range of products, explicitly including rice noodles, vermicelli, and glass noodles, alongside its standard wheat-based offerings. This expansion aims to bolster the company's production capacity to meet growing domestic and international demand, utilizing the region's abundant rice resources. The project represents a significant infrastructure investment to enhance the supply chain for rice-based noodle products in the global market.
• In March 2024, the Nguyen Binh Company, a Vietnamese producer specializing in traditional fresh rice noodles, announced a strategic initiative to upgrade its production facilities for international export. The company confirmed the installation of a new production line and the implementation of advanced water filtration systems to align its fresh rice vermicelli products with global quality standards. This development was part of a broader plan to export its fresh rice noodle products to major overseas markets, capitalizing on the increasing global popularity of authentic Vietnamese cuisine and fresh, gluten-free noodle options.

Key Market Players

• Thai President Foods Public Company Limited
• Nongshim Co., Ltd.
• Toyo Suisan Kaisha, Ltd.
• Nasoya Foods USA, LLC
• Nissin Foods Co., Ltd.
• McCormick & Company, Inc.
• Lotus Foods Inc.
• Annie Chun’s, Inc.
• Embridge Foods, Inc.
• Natural Earth Products Inc.

By Product Type	By Distribution Channel	By Region
Vermicelli Stick Wide Others	Online Offline	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Rice Noodles Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Rice Noodles Market, By Product Type:

• Vermicelli
• Stick
• Wide
• Others

• Rice Noodles Market, By Distribution Channel:

• Online
• Offline

• Rice Noodles Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE