Analysis Report on Market Trends and Future Potential of Frozen Cooked Noodles Industry

I. Market Overview and Size 

Frozen cooked noodles, as a type of noodle product that has undergone processing and rapid freezing, have achieved significant growth in the Chinese market in recent years. According to industry research data, 2022 marked a clear turning point in the Chinese frozen cooked noodle market. Some leading enterprises saw their sales increase by 50% year-on-year, and the growth rate in the first half of 2023 even reached 80%. 

At present, the frozen cooked noodle market in China is in its initial stage of explosion. The overall category growth rate remains above 50%, far exceeding the average growth rate of 7-10% in the frozen food industry. Godeler Machinery 

From the perspective of market size, the market scale of China's frozen noodle and rice products industry has reached 137.4 billion (in RMB) in 2024, with a year-on-year growth of 11.8%. Meanwhile, the global market scale of frozen and refrigerated noodles is approximately 95.17 billion yuan in 2024, and is expected to approach 125.63 billion yuan by 2031, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6% over the next six years. 

II. Analysis of Driving Factors 

The transformation in the catering industry drives the growth of demand. 

The trend of chainization requires product standardization: The chainization rate of Chinese noodle and rice restaurants is only 18.5% (in 2021), which is much lower than the overall 35.3% chainization rate of the catering industry. There is huge potential for development. Chain operation has a strong demand for standardized ingredients. Frozen cooked noodles, due to their stable quality and reliable supply, have become the preferred choice. 

The expansion of the food delivery market requires solutions: The frozen cooked noodles, due to their strong water retention property (up to 40 minutes), have solved the problem of easy sticking of noodles in food delivery, becoming a key technical support for expanding the food delivery market. Godeler Machinery 

2. Consumption Upgrading and Lifestyle Transformation 

The accelerated pace of life has led to an increase in the demand for convenience: consumers prefer products that can be consumed within 5 minutes, such as microwave-heated pastries. **The rise in health awareness** has driven product upgrades: 64.3% of consumers pay attention to the shelf life and freshness, and 55.3% are concerned about additive issues, prompting companies to optimize their formulas and develop healthy products with low salt, low sugar, and no additives. 

3. Technological Progress and Supply Chain Optimization 

Cold chain logistics facilities are becoming increasingly complete: the coverage area has expanded, and the growth in the lower-tier markets (third-tier and below cities) has been significant. **Upgrade of quick-freezing technology**: Technologies such as liquid nitrogen quick-freezing have been widely applied, which can better preserve the taste of food and promote the development of high-end products. 

Production process innovation: For instance, the cold extraction technology causes the noodles to pass through water three times, removing the surface gelatinized substances and solving the problems of cloudy soup and easy clumping. Godeler Machinery 

4. Significant cost efficiency advantage 

For a restaurant, although the direct cost of frozen cooked noodles is slightly higher than that of wet noodles, the overall cost is lower. The reason for this is: 

The food preparation speed has been increased by 5 to 6 times (the fastest time for food preparation is 20 seconds). 

Reduce labor costs 

Improve productivity 

Save on water and electricity costs 

III. Competitive Landscape and Market Participants 

Market Concentration 

The market for quick-frozen noodle and rice products in China is highly concentrated, with leading brands such as Sanquan, Anjing, and Wanjiuding occupying over 50% of the market share. However, in the sub-segment of frozen cooked noodles, there are currently not many specialized manufacturers, but their growth rates are very fast. 

2. Main Enterprise Layout 

Professional manufacturing enterprises: For instance, Henan Chugang Food Co., Ltd., as the largest frozen cooked noodle factory in the country, has a daily production capacity of over **50 tons**. Even with all four production lines operating at full capacity, orders have already been queued up for two months in advance. 

Traditional frozen food giants: Companies such as Sanquan, Sinaizi, and Anjing are accelerating their efforts to enter the B-end market. Godeler Machinery 

Anjing Food adjusted its business strategy at the end of 2018 and proposed the business strategy of "combining three forces and focusing on the catering sector". 

Sanquan Food has launched "Sanquan Green Label" products, mainly focusing on product development for the catering market. 

Thought Food has established the BP division, which provides products to catering companies for channels such as chain restaurants and group meals. 

Cross-border enterprises' entry: Leading companies such as Unilever, Kao, and Charoen Pokphand have also begun to focus on the frozen cooked noodle category. 

3. Global Participants 

Global competitors include TableMark (Japan Tobacco), Nissin Foods, Toyo Fisheries, Shimadaya and other international enterprises. These companies have a competitive edge in product innovation and technological accumulation and are accelerating their global market expansion. 

IV. Product Innovation and Differentiation Trends 

Healthification and Functionalization 

Clean-label products are becoming increasingly popular, with a reduction in the use of additives and the adoption of natural antioxidants (such as rosemary extract) 

Functional-enhanced products have emerged, such as frozen pastries with added probiotics and dietary fibers. Godeler Machinery 

Customized for specific groups: High-protein, low-calorie products for fitness enthusiasts; Elderly-specific products that are easy to chew; Children's nutrition products enriched with DHA, iron and zinc. 

2. Regional characteristics and diverse flavors 

Frozen cooked noodle enterprises usually have **more than 200 types of knives**. They can produce various kinds of noodles such as knife-cut noodles, belt-shaped noodles, stewed noodles, pulled noodles, hot dry noodles, and braised noodle dishes. Local flavor products (such as Sichuan-style dumplings and Cantonese-style pastries) are popular and meet diverse demands. 

3. Customized Services 

Given the distinct "non-standard customization" business characteristics of chain restaurants, each customer's product customization usually requires at least three or more sample deliveries. According to the customer's requirements, parameters such as width, thickness, firmness, and pattern are adjusted. Gerdler Machinery 

V. Channel Transformation 

B-end channel (catering channel) 

The catering channel has become the **primary growth point** for frozen cooked noodles. Especially, the demand for standardized noodle products from chain catering brands is very strong. According to industry estimates, more than 80% of noodle-based catering services in the future will use standardized noodle products, and the market size of this entire category is expected to exceed **trillion dollars**. 

2. Consumer-oriented channels (Consumer market) 

The proportion of online channels has expanded: The sales of e-commerce platforms (such as JD.com and Pinduoduo) account for over 30%, and young people "recommend" products through live streaming and social platforms. **Diversified channels development**: Supermarkets and convenience stores are the main players, while community group buying and live-streaming e-commerce are growing rapidly. 

VI. Challenges and Risks 

Cost pressure 

Fluctuations in raw material prices (such as rising costs of flour and meat) have a significant impact on profit margins. Leading enterprises control costs through vertical integration (by establishing their own breeding farms). 

2. Food safety risks 

Food safety risks include issues such as microbial contamination and excessive additives. With stricter regulations in various countries, enhanced detection standards for antibiotic residues and microbial contamination have been implemented. Small and medium-sized manufacturers are facing pressure to upgrade. 

3. Consumer Perception Challenges 

The prejudice that "frozen food = unhealthy" still exists. It is necessary to collaborate with key opinion leaders to popularize the scientific principles of "frozen preservation". Godeler Machinery 

4. Increased competition 

Large-scale frozen food enterprises are gradually shifting their business focus to the B sector. In the future, competition in the B sector will become even more intense. 

VII. Future Development Trends and Potential 

Market size forecast 

The frozen cooked noodle market in China is expected to maintain a rapid growth trend in the coming years. It is projected that by 2025, the market size of frozen noodle and rice products in China will reach **200 billion yuan**, with a compound annual growth rate of approximately 7% - 10%. As a niche category, the growth rate of frozen cooked noodles will be much higher than the industry average. It is expected that in the next few years, it will still maintain an annual growth rate of **more than 50%**. 

2. Technological Development Trends 

Application of intelligent production and traceability system: AI algorithms optimize the freezing curve, while blockchain tracks the source, processing, and transportation data of raw materials throughout the process. **Innovative eco-friendly packaging**: The proportion of degradable materials (such as seaweed-based films) will exceed 40%. 

Promotion of low-carbon production: The factory has introduced photovoltaic power generation and waste heat recovery systems, resulting in a 20%-30% reduction in carbon emission intensity. Gerdler Machinery 

3. Market Expansion Direction 

The potential of the underdeveloped market is enormous: The per capita consumption in third- and fourth-tier cities is only one-third of that in first-tier cities, which holds great potential. **International opportunities**: The export tax rebate policy helps enterprises expand into Southeast Asia and the European and American markets, especially the rapid increase in the export of halal-certified frozen noodles. 

Cross-border integration innovation: The fusion of frozen noodles and pre-prepared dishes, such as instant hot fried rice and pasta, meets the demands of both the B2C (business-to-customer) and C2C (customer-to-customer) segments in the catering industry. A variety of cross-border co-branded products have emerged, such as the collaboration between frozen dumplings and a milk tea brand, expanding the afternoon tea scenario. 

VIII. Suggestions and Countermeasures 

Suggestions for the development of the enterprise 

Focus on product innovation: Develop healthy and functional products to meet the demands of consumption upgrading; Develop specialized products for specific groups and scenarios. **Strengthen technological research**: Invest in rapid freezing technology research to improve product quality and taste; Develop environmentally friendly packaging solutions to respond to the trend of sustainable development. Godeler Machinery 

Deep channel layout: Equal emphasis on B-end and C-end channels, developing differentiated products for different channels; layout "online instant retail + community cold storage pick-up" to meet the 30-minute delivery requirement. **Brand differentiation construction**: Enhance premium value through carbon neutrality certification and animal welfare labels; collaborate with KOLs to popularize quick-freezing preservation technology, changing consumers' cognitive biases. 

2. Suggestions for Investment Institutions 

Focus on technology innovation enterprises: especially those with patent barriers in areas such as quick-freezing technology and preservation technology. **Opt for leading channel enterprises**: those with a complete cold chain logistics network and channel control capabilities. Godeler Machinery 

Market segmentation experts: Enterprises that have extensive presence in specific product categories, specific regional markets, or specific distribution channels. **Focus on cross-border integration opportunities**: Innovative enterprises that can combine frozen food technology with pre-prepared dishes and local cuisine. 

Conclusion

Frozen cooked noodles, as a new category in the frozen food industry, is currently experiencing a period of rapid growth. Driven by factors such as the chainization of the catering industry, the upgrading of consumption, and technological progress, the future market potential is enormous. It is estimated that the overall market size of this category will reach the **trillion-dollar level**, becoming an important growth engine for the frozen food industry. 

Industry participants should grasp the trends, focus on product innovation, technological upgrading and channel construction, while also handling challenges such as cost control, food safety and consumer education. Only those enterprises that truly understand the changes in consumer demands and possess continuous innovation capabilities can gain a competitive edge in this rapidly growing field.