Rice Noodles

The rice noodles market is growing rapidly in global markets due to the increasing demand in the Asia-Pacific region and other neighboring regions for products that are gluten-free, healthy, and delicious. Originally, rice noodles were a specialty import from East and Southeast Asia, but are now a normal feature in culinary arts, organic food enthusiasts, or anyone desiring a simple, speedy, nutritional food solution. There are many products available on the market in the form of fresh, dried, instant, and flavoured, based on the use and consumer choice. The availability of modern retailing outlets such as hypermarkets, supermarkets, and, especially, e-marketing has boosted the accessibility of the products. With busy lifestyles and a consciousness of people’s health, rice noodles appear as a well-adapted food product in both developed and emerging markets.

The Rice Noodles market is set to show a growth rate of about 8.9% during the forecast period (2025-2033F). New opportunities for the rice noodles market are also going to be emerging in the Asian countries, especially China and India, which are expected to be the fastest-growing countries for the market. This is due to factors like: high growth of Asian cuisine in urban areas, an increase in cuisine options for middle-class people with better disposable income, and changing eating trends by people preferring easily accessible and healthier foods. This trend will further propel the growth of rice noodles as more consumers in these countries turn to ethnic and international foods. Furthermore, the current trend towards veganism and gluten-free diets will drive further growth of the rice noodle market.

• Based on Product, the market is segmented into Vermicelli Rice Noodles, Rice Stick Noodles, Wide Rice Noodles, and Others. Among these, the Vermicelli Rice Noodles segment is leading the market. Some of the major factors that would increase the growth of the Vermicelli rice noodles market include gluten-free products, low-calorie products, and health-oriented products. This type of rice noodles, which is quite thin and tastier than the regular wheat noodles, is generally preferred by contemporary consumers due to their versatility and health benefits. Such factors include gluten-free diets and weight reduction, which make the vermicelli rice noodles ideal for consumption in home-made meals as well as takeaway meals. The enhancement of the share of Asian cuisine worldwide, combined with the tendency towards active consumption of healthy meals, also boosts the development of this segment.
• Based on the Cooking Method, the market is segmented into Instant and Conventional. Among these, Conventional is the largest contributor to the Rice Noodles industry. The high activity of conventional rice noodles is justified by their availability in volume and cost, which makes it a popular choice for both the household and foodservice sector across Asia as well as worldwide. The people, especially consumers in the developing world, prefer conventional types due to cost issues, long shelf life, and ease of use in traditional recipes. Furthermore, regular rice noodles are incorporated into food items such as street foods, fast foods, and processed foods because of their price and convenience, especially for large-scale food preparations. This segment also remains live and active since the product type also relates to daily use, but does not call for high costs.
• Based on the Distribution Channel, the market is segmented into Hypermarkets & Supermarkets, Convenience Stores, Online, and Others. Among these, Hypermarkets & Supermarkets are the largest contributors to the Rice Noodles industry. The leading driver of the Hypermarkets & Supermarkets segment in the rice noodles market is the one-stop shopping centre for a range of brands and types of products at cheaper rates. These large retail formats allow consumers to differentiate the products, compare different options, and avail the benefit of offers or combo offers, which makes it more appealing. Finally, growth in the number of supermarkets and hypermarkets around the world, and availability of chain stores, organized retail systems in developed and emerging countries have positively impacted sales of Rice Noodles, and they can be more effectively positioned all over the Global Market. This segment remains active since it is within the context of consumers’ shopping preferences for convenience, product range, and affordability of goods and services across these supermarkets.
• For a better understanding of the market adoption of Rice Noodles, the market is analyzed based on its worldwide presence in countries such as North America (U.S., Canada, and the Rest of North America), Europe (Germany, U.K., France, Spain, Italy, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Rest of World. Out of all the regions, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) is currently the largest market for rice noodles, mainly due to inherited culture, high rice consumption rate, and local preference for rice-based delicacies. Some of the countries include China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Laos, Myanmar, and the Philippines, among others, that are either importing or exporting rice noodles. A popular food ingredient, the region has a good source of raw materials, such as rice, and adequate production facilities locally. As more of the population moves to urban areas and their disposable income increases, the consumption of organized packaged noodles increases as well. Altogether, a rising health consciousness is making consumers shift toward rice noodles as a gluten-free and low-fat product instead of wheat noodles. The APAC region is benefiting from government backing for agricultural development and food processing sectors. Moreover, the strong presence of both multinational and domestic brands, along with the proliferation of modern retail formats like supermarkets, hypermarkets, and convenience stores, supports the widespread availability of rice noodles across urban and semi-urban areas.
• Some major players running in the market include Nissin Foods Holdings Co., Ltd., Nongshim Co., Ltd., Acecook Vietnam Joint Stock Company, Thai President Foods Public Company Limited, McCormick & Company Inc., Lotus Foods Inc., Annie Chun's Inc. (CJ CheilJedang), Roland Foods LLC, Lieng Tong Rice Vermicelli Company Limited, and Thai Wah Public Company Limited.