[Edaily Reporter kim mi-kyung ] It can truly be called the “Buldak effect.” Riding the wave of the ongoing “Buldak” craze in global markets, SamyangFoods set a new record for its best-ever quarterly performance in the third quarter of this year. With more than 80% of its total revenue coming from overseas and sustained, balanced growth across key markets, the company is on the verge of surpassing 3 trillion won in annual revenue.

SamyangFoods(003230)The company announced on the 6th that it recorded consolidated revenue of 791.8 billion won and operating profit of 196.2 billion won in the third quarter of this year. These figures represent increases of 25.3% and 49.9%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. Both revenue and operating profit marked all-time highs on a quarterly basis.

The key driver of these results is the overseas market. Third-quarter overseas revenue reached 660.8 billion won, a 29.4% increase from the same period last year. Overseas revenue accounts for approximately 83.5% of total revenue. This is the result of responding to growing overseas demand through the expansion of global distribution networks and improved operational efficiency at domestic production facilities, such as the Miryang plant.

The popularity of the flagship “Buldak” brand also continued. After surpassing cumulative sales of 10 billion units in the second quarter, Buldak has maintained steady sales growth in overseas markets, solidifying its position as a leading global K-food brand.

By region, the U.S. and China subsidiaries showed particularly strong growth. Sales at the U.S. subsidiary rose 36.6% year-over-year to 212.5 billion won. This growth was driven by expanded distribution through major retailers such as Walmart and increased sales to Mexico. Sales at the China subsidiary rose 13.2% to 208.9 billion won. Expanding into the snack category to broaden consumer reach proved particularly effective. In Europe, sales reached 86.9 billion won, a 65.6% increase compared to the same period last year, driven by growing product demand.

Profitability also remained stable. The third-quarter operating profit margin stood at 24.8%, marking the seventh consecutive quarter in the 20% range. The trend of improved profitability continued, as the operating profit growth rate of 49.9% significantly outpaced the revenue growth rate. Analysts attribute this improvement in profitability to the enhancement of distribution networks in key markets and the optimization of sales channel structures.

Securities analysts expect SamyangFoods to exceed 3 trillion won in annual revenue this year. The consensus revenue estimate for 2026 stands at 3.1246 trillion won, a 32.9% increase from the previous year. Observers predict that revenue growth will continue, as the “Buldak” brand maintains its growth momentum in overseas markets and the company has secured a solid foundation for balanced growth in key markets such as the U.S., China, and Europe.

A SamyangFoods official stated, “We have maintained export growth by expanding our distribution networks in key markets such as the U.S. and China,” adding, “We plan to respond stably to overseas demand by improving operational efficiency at domestic production hubs, including the Miryang plant, and streamlining our global distribution infrastructure.”