Market
Licorice root powder is a globally traded botanical ingredient produced from dried roots and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza species and used in food, herbal products, and other downstream applications. Supply is concentrated across Eurasian producing belts (Central Asia, West Asia, and parts of China), with both cultivated and wild-harvest sourcing depending on origin. In trade, the product is commonly handled under medicinal/aromatic plant HS headings where roots may be shipped whole, cut/sliced, or powdered, and is further processed (milled/standardized) near origin or in destination markets. Market access and formulation are shaped by safety considerations around glycyrrhizin/glycyrrhizic acid exposure, while upstream sustainability and permitting can be sensitive where wild collection is significant.
Major Producing Countries- AzerbaijanHighlighted as a top producer in wild-ingredient supply chain profiles; also listed among producing countries in botanical references.
- UzbekistanHighlighted as a top producer in wild-ingredient supply chain profiles; also listed among producing countries in botanical references.
- ChinaListed among producing countries in botanical references; multiple Glycyrrhiza species used in trade are associated with production areas in China.
- IranListed among producing countries in botanical references and highlighted in wild-ingredient supply chain profiles.
- TurkmenistanListed among producing countries in botanical references and highlighted in wild-ingredient supply chain profiles.
- AfghanistanListed among producing countries in botanical references.
- PakistanListed among producing countries in botanical references.
- IraqListed among producing countries in botanical references.
- TurkiyeListed among producing countries in botanical references.
Major Exporting Countries- UzbekistanReported as a major exporter of licorice root, with processed outputs exported to Asian destination markets.
Major Importing Countries- ChinaReported destination market for Uzbek exports of processed licorice root products.
- IndiaReported destination market for Uzbek exports of processed licorice root products.
- South KoreaReported destination market for Uzbek exports of processed licorice root products.
- Myanmar [Burma]Reported destination market for Uzbek exports of processed licorice root products.
Specification
Major VarietiesGlycyrrhiza glabra (liquorice root), Glycyrrhiza inflata (liquorice root), Glycyrrhiza uralensis (liquorice root)
Physical Attributes- Powder derived from dried licorice root/rhizome; moisture control is critical to avoid caking and microbial issues
- Buyer specifications commonly distinguish food-grade versus pharmacopoeial/herbal-medicinal quality expectations
Compositional Metrics- Glycyrrhizin/glycyrrhizic acid is a key marker compound that influences sweetness intensity and safety/regulatory positioning
- Marker profiles can vary by species, origin, and harvest timing, supporting the need for standardized testing
Grades- Food grade licorice root powder for flavoring applications
- Herbal/pharmacopoeial grade (Liquiritiae radix) where medicinal-use specifications apply
Packaging- Moisture-barrier lined multiwall bags or fiber drums for international shipment
- Batch-coded packaging aligned to traceability requirements (species/origin, lot, test results)
ProcessingMilled and sieved to buyer-defined particle size; identity testing is important due to species substitution riskPotential need for microbial control steps depending on destination requirements and end use (food vs supplement/herbal medicinal)
Risks
Wild Harvest Sustainability HighWhere licorice is sourced from wild collection, harvesting roots can destroy the plant and contribute to resource depletion; governments may impose permitting, controls, or fees on collection/export, which can disrupt supply and increase compliance risk.Prioritize cultivated or responsibly managed wild-harvest supply with documented permits and traceability (e.g., credible wild-harvest standards where applicable); maintain multi-origin sourcing options.
Health And Regulatory MediumGlycyrrhizin/glycyrrhizic acid exposure from licorice can cause serious adverse effects (e.g., hypertension, hypokalemia, arrhythmias) at high intake or in sensitive populations, which can drive labeling expectations, formulation limits, and reputational risk.Specify and test glycyrrhizin levels; apply clear use-level guidance and labeling; consider deglycyrrhizinated options for certain applications.
Quality And Authenticity MediumMultiple Glycyrrhiza species are used in trade and marker composition can vary by species/origin/harvest timing, increasing the risk of inconsistent sweetness/functional performance and mislabeling or substitution.Use botanical identity verification (macroscopy/microscopy and marker-based assays) and define acceptable marker ranges by application.
Food Safety MediumAs a botanical ingredient, licorice root powder can face contaminant and residue compliance risk (e.g., heavy metals, pesticide residues, microbial contamination), especially when wild-collected or dried under variable conditions.Apply risk-based testing plans aligned to Codex and destination-market requirements; qualify suppliers on drying, storage, and HACCP/food safety controls.
Sustainability- Wild-harvest pressure and habitat loss risk for medicinal/aromatic plants; traceability gaps can obscure sustainability impacts
- Root harvesting can destroy plants if not managed, increasing resource-depletion risk in wild-collection supply chains
- Responsible sourcing tools for wild-harvested botanicals (e.g., FairWild certification) may be relevant where applicable
Labor & Social- Due diligence challenges where supply relies on dispersed rural collectors and informal aggregation (documentation, land-use permissions, and traceability)
- Country-level governance and labor-risk screening may be relevant for some origin regions even when not specific to a single licorice supply chain
FAQ
Which plant species are commonly traded as licorice root for powders and related ingredients?International herbal references commonly recognize licorice root (Liquiritiae radix) from Glycyrrhiza glabra, Glycyrrhiza inflata, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis, and these species may not always be distinguished in trade unless identity testing and labeling require it.
What is the key safety concern that can affect licorice ingredient use in foods and herbal products?Licorice contains glycyrrhizin (glycyrrhizic acid), which can cause serious adverse effects such as elevated blood pressure and heart rhythm problems when consumed in large amounts or over long periods, especially for people with certain health conditions.
Why do buyers often require strong traceability and documentation for licorice root ingredients?Because licorice can be sourced from wild harvesting in some regions and root collection can damage plant populations, buyers often need documentation to demonstrate legal harvest, responsible sourcing, and compliance with destination-market safety and contaminant requirements.