Noodles Exports Surge 59.7%: Processed Food Industry Expands Globally

Nepal’s processed food industry showed impressive growth in FY 2025/26, with noodles exports jumping 59.7 percent. Monthly exports reached Rs. 242.3 million, up from Rs. 151.8 million in the same period last year. This strong expansion lifted noodles to a 1 percent share of Nepal’s total exports, making it one of the fastest-growing items in the processed food category.

The rise highlights Nepal’s growing competitiveness in low-cost, ready-to-eat products, particularly in India, the Middle East, and overseas Nepali diaspora markets. Unlike traditional exports such as woolen carpets (-26.6%) and tea (-30.9%), which struggled this year, noodles exports underline the shift toward modern processed foods with wider global appeal.

This growth also reflects the potential of Nepal’s food processing sector to diversify exports beyond agriculture and handicrafts. However, scaling further will require improvements in quality certification, packaging, and branding, as well as stronger trade facilitation to access larger retail chains abroad.