Instant Noodle Prices Are Predicted To Rise and Our Empty Wallets Are Quaking

Are you phở real? 🥺🍜

As if the rise in cost of living wasn't already giving us the creeps – The ABC reports instant noodles could be another product heavily impacted by the ripple effects of the conflict worldwide.

What does the war have to do with this delish budget-friendly snack? We’ll break it down for you.

One-third of the world’s wheat comes from Ukraine and Russia.

Ukraine is one of the world's largest producers of wheat.

Because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, farmers are being forced to leave their fields to defend their homeland, and ports are under siege.

How will this impact Australia?

We've seen the knock-on effect of the conflict already affecting supply in other areas like oil, causing petrol prices to skyrocket in Aus.

According to the *checks notes* World Instant Noodle Association, prices are expected to rise here, too.

They say we’re number 19 on the list of largest consumers of instant noodles and ate a whopping 440 million servings in 2020. Solid effort, Australia.

The ABC reports supply chain disruptions during the pandemic already pushed up the prices of Mayora's Bakmi Mewah instant noodles by 15-20 per cent.

Indonesia makes a majority of the world’s instant noodles with wheat from Ukraine and Aus.

With wheat being the main ingredient for instant noodles, and the fact they imported about a quarter of their wheat from Ukraine last year – Indonesia is the area most concerned about this.

Several Indonesian industry figures have predicted the price rise, given that 100 per cent of the ingredients required for them are imported.

Even for noodle companies who don’t buy wheat from Ukraine, it’s expected the war will affect the price of instant noodles indirectly – in shipping costs, for example.

The conflict hasn’t had a “significant impact” on noodles just yet.

If instant noodles go up in price, it’s likely to not happen for a few months, especially in Australia. Phew!

Kasan Muhri from Indonesia’s Trade Ministry  told the ABC the price increase amount depends on the duration of the war, and Indonesia still has enough wheat to last them the next two months.

Increases have already been reported in Japan, though – one of the biggest consumers of instant foods in the world.

In the meantime join us as we treasure our student-budget-friendly bowls of Mi Goreng. Also, head here if the impact of the Ukraine crisis has you feeling overwhelmed.

Header image: Sony Music via YouTube and Unsplash.