Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried Root
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Dried licorice root in Pakistan sits in the herbal raw-material segment rather than a mass food category. Demand is tied mainly to Unani medicine, pharmacies, herbal wholesalers, and household remedy channels. Supply appears to be a mix of imported botanical material and limited local collection or handling in western dry areas, so quality control and documentation matter more than branding. Because the product is traded dried, storage conditions and paperwork are more important than cold chain.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market with limited domestic wild-sourced supply
Domestic RoleHerbal ingredient used in Unani medicine and household remedies
SeasonalityThe traded product is available year-round because it is dried, even though sourcing is batch-based and depends on harvest timing, trader inventory, and cross-border movement.
Specification
Primary VarietyGlycyrrhiza glabra
Physical Attributes- Dried brown to tan roots or slices
- Woody fibrous texture
- Sweet aromatic taste with a bitter finish
- Low-soil, low-mold appearance expected
Compositional Metrics- Glycyrrhizin content is the key potency marker
- Moisture content is important for storage stability
- Foreign matter and microbial load are common acceptance checks
Grades- Whole root
- Cut root
- Sliced root
- Extract-grade raw material
Packaging- Poly-lined sacks
- Jute sacks with inner liner
- Retail pouches
- Moisture-barrier cartons
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Import receipt or local collection -> drying and cleaning -> sorting -> bulk packing -> wholesaler -> herbal retailer or Unani manufacturer
Temperature- Ambient transport is acceptable if the cargo stays dry
- No cold chain required, but moisture protection is essential
Atmosphere Control- Low humidity storage matters more than refrigeration
- Sealed packaging helps prevent odor pickup and mold growth
Shelf Life- Shelf life is relatively long when kept dry
- Moisture exposure quickly reduces quality and raises mold risk
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeLand
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighLicorice root can move between herbal, food, and therapeutic channels; if the declared HS code, botanical identity, and end-use paperwork do not match, Pakistani customs or downstream buyers can delay or reject the lot.Lock the end-use channel, HS code, and document set before shipment.
Food Safety MediumDried roots can carry soil, microbial load, or foreign matter, and licorice lots can also be substituted with look-alike roots or mixed cuts.Use lot-level identity testing and contamination screening on every shipment.
Logistics MediumThe product does not need refrigeration, but it is moisture-sensitive; monsoon humidity, poor warehousing, or long road transits can cause mold and quality loss.Use moisture-barrier packaging and dry warehousing, and avoid prolonged exposure during transshipment.
Sustainability MediumIf sourcing relies on unmanaged wild collection, local stands can be depleted and future supply becomes less reliable.Prefer cultivated or verified sustainable-harvest lots and keep source-area records.
Market Volatility MediumRegional supply can move with border friction and trader inventory swings, so landed cost can shift even when end-user demand is steady.Maintain alternate origin options and keep buffer inventory for core buyers.
Sustainability- Unmanaged wild harvesting can pressure local stands
- Rangeland and water stress can reduce regeneration in source areas
- Traceability is weaker when roots pass through informal collectors
Labor & Social- Seasonal collection labor can be informal, which weakens wage and safety transparency
- Multi-layer trader networks can make labor due diligence harder
FAQ
How is dried licorice root usually sold in Pakistan?It is mainly sold as a dried herbal raw material through herbal wholesalers, pharmacies, Unani outlets, and similar traditional-medicine channels.
What is the biggest risk for a shipment entering Pakistan?The biggest risk is a paperwork or product-classification mismatch that slows or blocks customs and plant-health clearance.
Why does moisture control matter for a dried root?Even dried roots can absorb moisture, which raises mold risk and lowers quality during storage and transport.
What quality checks matter most to buyers?Buyers usually care about correct botanical identity, low foreign matter, and a reliable glycyrrhizin level.