Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormFresh
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Commodity GroupIndustrial or medicinal plants (licorice root; HS 1211.10)
Scientific NameGlycyrrhiza glabra L.; Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. ex DC.; Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat.
PerishabilityMedium
Growing Conditions- Arid to semi-arid and temperate to subtropical environments, depending on species and origin
- Deep, well-drained soils; cultivation often occurs in regions with salinity and water-stress constraints
- Multi-year perennial root crop; both cultivated production and wild-collection systems are documented
Main VarietiesGlycyrrhiza glabra (European/Mediterranean licorice types), Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Chinese licorice; key northern China production regions), Glycyrrhiza inflata
Consumption Forms- Industrial extraction into licorice extract (food, tobacco, and herbal/pharmaceutical inputs)
- Herbal raw material (teas, decoctions, traditional medicine preparations)
- Flavoring ingredient supply chains where permitted by local regulation
Grading Factors- Verified species identity (G. glabra / G. uralensis / G. inflata) and declared wild vs. cultivated status
- Assay markers (e.g., glycyrrhizic acid/glycyrrhizin; additional markers such as liquiritin where specified)
- Physical cleanliness (soil/foreign matter), cut size (whole vs. cut-and-sift), and moisture status (fresh vs. dried)
- Traceability documentation (origin region, harvest year, lot integrity) to manage sustainability and regulatory risk
Planting to HarvestTypically ~3–4 years to develop roots with commercially targeted constituent concentration; some production systems harvest multi-year roots on traditional late-autumn dates.
Market
Fresh licorice root is globally traded mainly as an industrial/medicinal plant root (HS/CN 1211.10 “liquorice roots”), used for glycyrrhizin-containing extracts and as a flavoring input across confectionery and tobacco, as well as in herbal medicinal products. Production is concentrated in China and West/Central Asia (notably Iran, Afghanistan and Turkey, with additional supply from Central Asian producers), with supply split between cultivated and wild-harvested roots. International trade is typically dominated by dried/cleaned and often cut root, while fresh-root shipments are comparatively niche and more localized. Market dynamics are shaped by sustainability/traceability of wild resources, tightening conservation or export controls in some origins, and buyer requirements for consistent pharmacopoeial identity and minimum active-compound content.
Market GrowthGrowing (medium- to long-term)expanding use of botanical ingredients and extracts across herbal medicinal, food-flavoring, and functional-ingredient value chains
Major Producing Countries- 중국Frequently cited as the leading producer; major production regions and quality differentiation are documented for medicinal Glycyrrhiza species.
- 이란Commonly cited major producer and exporter for licorice root used in extract industries.
- 터키Commonly cited producer in Mediterranean/West Asia licorice supply.
- 아프가니스탄Commonly cited producer in West/Central Asia licorice supply.
- 우즈베키스탄Documented producer in Central Asia; licorice is discussed as a crop for harsh environments in the Aral Sea region.
- 파키스탄Reported as a producing country for liquorice (Glycyrrhiza spp.) in botanical and pharmacognosy references.
Supply Calendar- China (Northern production regions):NovReported traditional harvesting dates for multi-year roots occur in early November in parts of China; timing varies by cultivation vs. wild collection and local agro-climate.
Specification
Major VarietiesGlycyrrhiza glabra (European licorice), Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Chinese licorice), Glycyrrhiza inflata
Physical Attributes- Trade material consists of roots, rhizomes, and stolons (runners); fibrous root tissue with a characteristic sweet taste
- Often sold whole or cut (e.g., slices/cut-and-sift) depending on downstream extraction or herbal-tea applications
Compositional Metrics- Glycyrrhizic acid (glycyrrhizin) is a primary marker compound used in quality specifications for licorice
- USP dietary supplement monograph specifies licorice contains not less than 2.5% glycyrrhizic acid on a dried basis
- Quality programs commonly monitor additional marker compounds (e.g., flavonoids such as liquiritin) and recognize variability between wild and cultivated sources
Grades- Compendial/pharmacopoeial grade (identity + assay requirements for medicinal use)
- Industrial extraction grade (fit-for-extraction material with buyer-specific assay and impurity limits)
- Food flavoring grade (buyer-specified sensory profile and contaminant limits, aligned to destination-market regulations)
Packaging- Handled as bulk root material for industrial users; packaging typically prioritizes moisture control and traceability (lotting and origin documentation) for pharmaceutical/food supply chains
ProcessingPost-harvest cleaning and drying are common to stabilize quality; cutting prior to extraction is widely used to improve extraction efficiency
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Cultivation or wild collection → root digging → cleaning (soil removal/washing) → trimming/sizing → drying (common for export stability) and/or fresh local shipment → cutting/milling (as required) → industrial extraction into licorice extract or distribution into herbal raw material channels
Demand Drivers- Use as a flavoring input in food/candy and tobacco value chains
- Use in herbal medicinal products and traditional medicine supply chains
- Industrial demand for licorice extracts and standardized bioactive content (glycyrrhizin/glycyrrhizic acid)
Risks
Wild Resource Depletion And Export Controls HighA material share of licorice root supply has historically relied on wild collection; peer-reviewed literature notes overharvesting concerns for wild Glycyrrhiza uralensis and reports conservation-driven export regulation in China. This can abruptly tighten export availability, shift sourcing to cultivated material with different constituent profiles, and increase rejection risk if pharmacopoeial assay thresholds are not met.Prioritize cultivated and verified-sustainable sources; diversify origins and suppliers; require documentation for collection/cultivation status and conduct incoming assay testing (glycyrrhizic acid and key markers) against buyer specs.
Quality And Pharmacopoeial Compliance MediumActive-compound content varies by species, origin, and cultivation mode; literature notes that cultivated material can fall below pharmacopoeial minimum glycyrrhizin thresholds used for medicinal-grade supply. Non-compliance can lead to downgraded use (non-medicinal), price discounts, or shipment rejection.Specify accepted species and compendial standard upfront; implement lot-based assay verification (e.g., glycyrrhizic acid on dried basis) and supplier qualification programs with corrective actions.
Climate And Soil Constraints MediumMajor production regions include arid/semi-arid environments where salinity and climate variability can reduce yields and alter constituent profiles; modeling studies indicate climate change may shrink suitable habitats in key Chinese regions for medicinal Glycyrrhiza species.Monitor origin-region climate and salinity indicators; maintain multi-origin sourcing; support agronomic programs (salt-tolerant germplasm, irrigation management) where cultivation is expanding.
Regulatory And Health MediumLicorice’s bioactive glycyrrhizin can cause clinically relevant adverse effects at high intake, increasing the risk of regulatory scrutiny, consumer warnings, or tighter limits in certain end-use categories (supplements, functional foods).Align finished-product claims and labeling with destination-market rules; control extract standardization and serving-level exposure; maintain robust pharmacovigilance and quality documentation.
Sustainability- Overharvesting and depletion risk in wild Glycyrrhiza resources (notably G. uralensis), with conservation-driven export regulation reported in China
- Climate-change exposure for arid and semi-arid habitats where medicinal Glycyrrhiza species are concentrated, with modeled future reductions in suitable habitat in parts of China
- Land and soil constraints in major production zones (salinity and desert-steppe environments), increasing cultivation risk and supply variability
- Biodiversity and ecosystem-service considerations: Glycyrrhiza species can contribute to sand fixation and desertification control, creating trade-offs between ecological restoration and commercial root excavation
Labor & Social- Traceability and governance challenges in informal wild-harvest supply chains (higher risk of undocumented origin and non-compliant collection practices)
FAQ
Under what trade classification is licorice root commonly recorded in customs nomenclatures?Licorice root is commonly classified under HS/CN heading 1211 for industrial or medicinal plants; the specific subheading for liquorice roots is typically HS 1211.10 (often shown as CN 1211 10 00 in EU nomenclature).
Which botanical sources are commonly recognized for licorice root in regulated herbal contexts?Regulated herbal contexts commonly recognize licorice root from Glycyrrhiza glabra, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, and Glycyrrhiza inflata, which are referenced in European herbal assessment work and pharmacopoeial standards.
What is a common assay marker used to specify licorice root quality in trade and regulated uses?Glycyrrhizic acid (glycyrrhizin) is a common marker used in quality specifications; for example, the USP dietary supplement monograph for licorice includes a minimum glycyrrhizic-acid content requirement on a dried basis.
Why can licorice root supply be vulnerable to sudden tightening?Peer-reviewed literature highlights concerns about overharvesting of wild Glycyrrhiza resources (notably G. uralensis) and reports conservation-driven export regulation in China, which can reduce export availability and shift buyers toward cultivated material.