The decline reflects “the impact of reduced purchasing power amid price increases driven by currency depreciation and higher raw material costs,” according to a recent report by the World Instant Noodles Association.

Nevertheless, cup-type noodles have continued to expand in Indonesia, and further growth is still expected for the instant noodles market as a whole, it added.

Indonesia ranks second only to China and Hong Kong, which consumed 43.27 billion servings, up 1.2% from 2024.

“Consumers showed a stronger tendency toward frugality and more selective spending,” the association said.

Even under deflationary conditions, cup-type noodles and mid- to high-priced bag-type noodles are expected to regain momentum through various demand-stimulation initiatives, including deeper penetration into regional cities, expansion into new channels such as e-commerce, and new product launches, it said.

Global demand for instant noodles rose to more than 124 billion servings last year, up 0.7% from 2024. The five biggest markets are China/Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Vietnam and Japan.

In the sixth place is the U.S., followed by the Philippines, Thailand, South Korea and Nigeria.

The World Instant Noodles Association said the instant noodle industry was also facing a more challenging cost environment.

Changes in U.S. trade policy and heightened tensions in the Middle East last year drew greater attention to raw material and product costs, while Asian markets also experienced weaker export sales linked to geopolitical risks and rising input prices.

The association expects those pressures to continue this year, potentially influencing manufacturers’ procurement and pricing strategies.