Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Commodity GroupMedicinal and aromatic plants (herbs)
Scientific NameGlycyrrhiza glabra L.; Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.; Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat.
PerishabilityLow (when properly dried), but moisture-sensitive during storage and transit
Growing Conditions- Temperate to semi-arid environments; commonly associated with steppe and riverine habitats in parts of eastern Europe, Central Asia, West Asia, and northern China.
- Deep, well-drained soils support root development; cultivation and wild stands may both supply trade depending on origin.
Main VarietiesGlycyrrhiza glabra, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Glycyrrhiza inflata
Consumption Forms- Herbal teas/infusions and decoctions
- Input for extraction into licorice extract used for flavouring and herbal preparations
- Ingredient use in confectionery/flavour applications and related formulations
- Cosmetics/personal-care ingredient supply chains (via root or extracts)
Grading Factors- Botanical identity (species and plant part)
- Glycyrrhizin/glycyrrhizic acid-related quality markers (as required by buyer or monograph)
- Moisture condition and evidence of mold/odor defects
- Foreign matter and cleanliness (soil, stones, stems)
- Cut size/particle size distribution (whole vs. sliced vs. cut-and-sifted)
- Contaminant compliance (risk-based: pesticides, heavy metals, microbiological quality)
Planting to HarvestTypically multiple years for cultivated root to reach commercial size; cycle length varies by species, agronomy, and intended quality specification.
Market
Dried licorice root is a globally traded botanical raw material used in herbal medicines, teas, confectionery flavoring, and cosmetics, with trade commonly tracked under HS 121110 (liquorice roots). Supply is concentrated across a relatively small set of producing countries in Central Asia/West Asia and China, with both cultivated and wild-harvested material in commerce. Downstream processing into licorice extract (e.g., HS 130212) creates additional trade pull and can shift value capture toward processing hubs. Import demand is shaped by regulated herbal/food markets (notably in Europe, the United States, and Japan) and by industrial buyers seeking standardized quality and traceability. Sustainability and social-risk scrutiny is elevated where sourcing relies on wild collection and where governance risks complicate due diligence.
Major Producing Countries- 아제르바이잔Identified as a top producer in wild-ingredient sourcing references; part of the broader eastern Europe/Central Asia licorice supply region.
- 우즈베키스탄Identified as a top producer in wild-ingredient sourcing references; also associated with significant downstream licorice extract trade (processing pull).
- 중국Identified as a top producer in wild-ingredient sourcing references; also a major global market for medicinal and aromatic plants.
- 이란Identified as a top producer in wild-ingredient sourcing references; sourcing and trade can be sensitive to compliance and geopolitical constraints.
- 투르크메니스탄Identified as a top producer in wild-ingredient sourcing references and cited as a key supplier to EU liquorice-root imports in FAO analysis.
Major Exporting Countries- 투르크메니스탄Cited by FAO analysis as a main supplier of liquorice roots to EU imports (HS 121110) in the referenced period.
- 중국Cited by FAO analysis as a main supplier of liquorice roots to EU imports (HS 121110) in the referenced period.
- 아제르바이잔Cited by FAO analysis as a main supplier of liquorice roots to EU imports (HS 121110) in the referenced period.
Major Importing Countries- 미국Cited by FAO analysis as a main extra-EU market importing liquorice roots fresh or dried from the EU in the referenced period.
- 브라질Cited by FAO analysis as a main extra-EU market importing liquorice roots fresh or dried from the EU in the referenced period.
- 일본Cited by FAO analysis as a main extra-EU market importing liquorice roots fresh or dried from the EU in the referenced period.
Supply Calendar- Central Asia (e.g., Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan):Sep, Oct, NovTypical harvest window for mature roots in temperate steppe climates is autumn; timing varies by site, irrigation, and whether supply is cultivated vs. wild-collected.
- Northern China (e.g., arid/semi-arid production zones):Sep, Oct, NovAutumn digging is common for dried-root supply; post-harvest drying and cleaning capacity can be a bottleneck in wet years.
- West Asia (e.g., Iran):Sep, Oct, NovAutumn harvest is typical for root crops; logistics and export timing can be affected by compliance requirements and trade restrictions.
Specification
Major VarietiesGlycyrrhiza glabra (European licorice), Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Chinese licorice), Glycyrrhiza inflata
Physical Attributes- Dried roots/rhizomes traded whole, sliced, or cut-and-sifted; cleanliness and low foreign matter are core buyer requirements.
- Distinct sweet taste linked to glycyrrhizin-containing material; odor and color can be used as practical screening attributes but do not replace identity testing.
Compositional Metrics- Active-marker/quality assays commonly focus on glycyrrhizin/glycyrrhizic acid-related measures for standardization and specification conformance (pharmacopoeial/monograph-driven).
- Moisture-related controls (e.g., loss on drying) and ash/insoluble matter metrics are typical for dried botanical raw materials used in regulated supply chains.
Grades- Pharmaceutical/herbal-medicinal grade aligned to pharmacopoeial/official monograph expectations (identity, marker content, contaminants).
- Food/flavouring grade for tea and flavour supply chains, typically emphasizing sensory profile, cleanliness, and contaminant controls.
Packaging- Commonly shipped as dried whole roots or cut pieces in lined sacks, multiwall paper bags, or compressed bales, depending on cut size and buyer handling.
- Moisture-barrier packaging and container desiccation practices may be used for long transits to reduce mold and caking risks.
ProcessingOften used as an input for extraction to produce licorice extract for flavouring or herbal preparations; cut size, particle size distribution, and marker-content variability affect extraction yield and batch standardization.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Cultivation or wild collection -> root digging -> cleaning/sorting -> cutting/slicing (optional) -> drying -> grading/testing -> packaging -> export documentation and phytosanitary/compliance checks -> importer milling/extraction or blending -> finished herbal/food/cosmetic use.
Demand Drivers- Use across traditional medicine systems and regulated herbal-medicinal products.
- Ingredient demand for teas/infusions and for confectionery/flavour applications.
- Cosmetics and personal-care ingredient demand for licorice-derived materials.
Temperature- Not typically cold-chain dependent; the critical control is keeping product dry during storage and transit to prevent microbial growth and quality loss.
Shelf Life- Shelf life is primarily moisture-driven: properly dried and protected from humidity, dried root can store for extended periods; poor moisture control increases mold/quality failure risk.
Risks
Resource Depletion HighA significant share of licorice-root supply can come from wild collection in eastern Europe/Central Asia and adjacent regions; because the traded part is the root, unsustainable harvesting can destroy plants and degrade local resource bases, creating abrupt supply constraints and reputational risk for buyers.Prioritize documented sustainable collection or cultivated supply, require species/lot traceability, and align suppliers to recognized good collection practices and (where applicable) credible wild-collection standards.
Quality And Adulteration MediumLots may vary by species (G. glabra / G. uralensis / G. inflata), cut size, and marker content, and may be vulnerable to substitution or excess foreign matter; variability can trigger rejections in regulated herbal and food chains.Specify botanical identity requirements (species/part), implement incoming QA testing (identity, marker assays, contaminants), and use supplier qualification with auditability back to collection/field practices.
Regulatory Compliance MediumHealth authorities note that glycyrrhizin-containing licorice can cause serious adverse effects when consumed in large amounts or over long periods, increasing scrutiny of labeling, formulation, and claims in downstream food/supplement markets and raising reputational risk if used irresponsibly.For downstream products, apply risk-based formulation and labeling controls, monitor target-market guidance, and consider deglycyrrhizinated options where appropriate.
Geopolitics And Trade Controls MediumSupply concentration across a limited set of origin countries means sanctions, conflict, or heightened border controls can disrupt availability, payments, or shipping routes for licorice root and related inputs.Maintain multi-origin sourcing plans, pre-qualify alternative suppliers, and run trade-compliance screening for origin, counterparties, and logistics routes.
Storage And Mycology MediumAs a dried botanical, licorice root is moisture-sensitive; humid storage or container condensation can lead to mold growth, odor changes, and potential contaminant non-compliance that blocks market access.Set moisture/packaging specs, use humidity control in containers, and require documented warehouse practices with periodic microbial/contaminant verification.
Sustainability- Wild-harvest pressure and habitat impacts where licorice is collected from natural stands; root removal can destroy plants and reduce regeneration if unmanaged.
- Land and soil stewardship in arid/semi-arid production zones (erosion, salinity, and restoration considerations).
- Buyer-driven responsible sourcing and third-party standards use (e.g., wild-collection certification approaches) to demonstrate sustainable collection and traceability.
Labor & Social- Traceability and human-rights due diligence challenges in supply chains that rely on rural community collection and multi-tier aggregation.
- Governance and corruption exposure risk in certain origin contexts can elevate compliance and ethical-sourcing scrutiny even when risks are not commodity-specific.
FAQ
What HS code is commonly used to track international trade in licorice (liquorice) roots?Licorice (liquorice) roots are commonly tracked under HS 121110 (Liquorice roots) in the Harmonized System used for trade statistics.
Which licorice species are commonly traded as “licorice root” in global commerce?Licorice root in trade may come from multiple Glycyrrhiza species, commonly including Glycyrrhiza glabra, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, and Glycyrrhiza inflata, and lots are not always distinguished by species unless buyers require it.
Why do some buyers treat licorice root as a higher regulatory and reputational risk ingredient?Health authorities note that glycyrrhizin-containing licorice can cause serious adverse effects when consumed in large amounts or over long periods, which can increase scrutiny of downstream uses (especially in food and supplement contexts) and raise expectations for responsible formulation, labeling, and quality control.