Market
Licorice root extract (mulethi/yashtimadhu; Glycyrrhiza spp.) in India functions primarily as a botanical ingredient market with both imports and smaller regional exports. UN Comtrade data (via WITS) for HS 130212 indicates India imported about USD 0.87 million in 2023 (predominantly from China) and exported about USD 0.15 million (notably to Nepal), implying a net-import position for this extract category. Domestic demand is tied to Ayurvedic/herbal products, nutraceuticals, and also food and cosmetic ingredient use, while domestic manufacturing capacity exists among standardized botanical-extract producers. For imports intended as food, India’s FSSAI clearance framework (FICS integrated with Customs ICEGATE/SWIFT) uses document scrutiny and risk-based inspection/sampling/testing, making documentation quality and contaminant/marker testing central to market access.
Market RoleNet importer with limited exports
Domestic RoleBotanical ingredient input for Ayurveda/herbal, nutraceutical, food/flavoring, and cosmetic/personal-care value chains
Risks
Supply Concentration HighImport supply for HS 130212 (liquorice sap and extract) is concentrated by value in China (UN Comtrade/WITS 2023). A disruption (trade controls, quality incidents, logistics interruption, or supplier non-compliance) can create acute shortages or price spikes for import-dependent buyers in India.Dual-source with qualified non-China suppliers where feasible, keep safety stock for critical SKUs, and develop validated domestic/alternate sourcing plans with documented marker assays and contaminant specifications.
Food Safety HighIf imported as food, FSSAI’s import clearance process can involve risk-based sampling/testing; non-conformance can result in clearance refusal, delays, or rejections, particularly for botanical extracts where contaminant controls and identity/strength claims are scrutinized.Align specifications to intended end use, provide robust COA (identity, marker assay, and contaminant tests), and implement pre-shipment testing plus traceable batch documentation.
Regulatory Compliance MediumRegulatory pathway and documentation expectations can differ depending on whether the product is declared/imported for food use versus herbal/Ayurvedic or other uses; misclassification or inadequate end-use documentation can trigger clearance delays.Confirm end-use classification early (food vs non-food), align labeling/claims accordingly, and ensure importer licensing and import dossier completeness under the applicable framework.
Sustainability MediumWhere licorice raw material is sourced via field collection or smallholder cultivation, inconsistent adherence to good field collection/agricultural practices can increase quality variability and sustainability risk.Prefer suppliers aligned to GAP/GFCP frameworks and, where applicable, use VCSMPP-aligned documentation to strengthen auditability and quality consistency.
Logistics LowWhile concentrated extracts are generally less freight-cost-sensitive than bulky raw botanicals, customs single-window routing and inspection/sampling can extend lead times and disrupt production schedules.Build lead-time buffers into MRP planning and use pre-arrival document readiness to reduce avoidable clearance delays.
Sustainability- Supply sustainability and quality assurance for medicinal plants (GAP/GFCP) supported by India’s NMPB–QCI Voluntary Certification Scheme for Medicinal Plant Produce (VCSMPP)
Labor & Social- Medicinal-plant supply chains can include small producers and wild collectors; due diligence should cover safe working conditions and fair purchasing practices, using structured GAP/GFCP frameworks where available (e.g., VCSMPP).
FAQ
What HS code is typically used for licorice root extract trade statistics for India?A common HS reference for licorice sap and extract is HS 130212, which is the code used in the UN Comtrade/WITS trade tables cited for India’s 2023 imports and exports.
How are food-grade botanical extracts like licorice extract cleared at Indian ports if imported as food?FSSAI describes an online Food Import Clearance System (FICS) integrated with Customs ICEGATE/SWIFT; consignments may undergo document scrutiny, inspection, and risk-based sampling/testing before clearance decisions (NOC/NCC) are communicated to Customs.
Is there an India-government-backed certification framework relevant to medicinal plant raw material quality and field collection practices?Yes. India’s National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB), in collaboration with the Quality Council of India (QCI), runs the Voluntary Certification Scheme for Medicinal Plant Produce (VCSMPP) to encourage Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Field Collection Practices (GFCP).