After importing instant noodles to Myanmar from its Vietnamese branch since 2014, Acecook is planning to start manufacturing instant noodles in Myanmar in 2017.
Acecook, a well-known foodstuff brand from Japan, plans to build a factory in Yangon by financing more than 2 billion yen (18.6 million dollars), with an aim to snatch a 10% market share of Myanmar’s instant noodle business by 2020.
Acecook will become the first Japanese instant noodle maker to operate in the Myanmar.
Acecook may face hot competition in the Myanmar market as it has long been dominated by imports from Thai instant noodle manufacturers, such as Yum Yum, and a handful of domestic brands such as Ma Mee. The Thai-imported instant noodles are mainly of tom yum-inspired varieties. Tom yum (known in Myanmar as Tontyang) is a Thai traditional soup which is usually cooked with shrimp and widely served in countries neighbouring Thailand – the likes of Brunei, Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Singapore. By producing in Myanmar, Acecook seeks to differentiate itself by offering soups inspired by local tastes. The Japanese trade name in February distributed a new instant noodle that contains a flavour of the ‘Hin’ dishes of Myanmar.
