Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
In India, dried licorice root is widely traded as "mulethi" / "yashtimadhu" for Ayurvedic preparations and as a botanical ingredient for food and wellness applications. Domestic cultivation/availability is documented in North-West India, including Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir, and recent reporting also notes indigenous occurrences in coastal Gujarat (Kutch/Saurashtra) with research interest in local cultivation potential. India’s supply chain is sensitive to quality and identity assurance, including documented adulteration risk noted in Ministry of AYUSH reference material. For imported consignments intended for food use, customs-linked clearance can involve FSSAI document scrutiny, inspection, sampling, and testing, alongside plant quarantine controls for plant products.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer and processing market (domestic cultivation exists; imports supplement raw material needs)
Domestic RoleSignificant domestic demand from Ayurvedic drug manufacturing and botanical ingredient channels (mulethi/yashtimadhu).
Specification
Primary VarietyGlycyrrhiza glabra (Yashtimadhu / Mulethi)
Physical Attributes- Dried root/stolon material typically assessed by cleanliness (free from soil/plant debris), odor, and sweet taste as an acceptance cue.
- Botanical identity verification is critical due to documented adulteration/substitution risk (e.g., Gunjaa moola / Abrus precatorius root noted as an adulterant in AYUSH reference).
Compositional Metrics- Marker-compound testing (e.g., glycyrrhizin-focused assays) is commonly used in licorice quality control workflows; specific acceptance thresholds are buyer/monograph dependent.
Packaging- Moisture-protective bulk packaging (e.g., lined sacks/cartons) to reduce mold/pest risk during monsoon-season warehousing and inland transport.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Cultivation/collection → cleaning (soil/foreign matter removal) → cutting/slicing (optional) → drying → grading & sorting → bulk packaging → wholesale trade (herbal raw drug markets) → processors (extracts/ingredients) and domestic retail
Temperature- Ambient distribution is common, but storage should prioritize cool, dry conditions to prevent moisture uptake and mold.
Atmosphere Control- Ventilated, low-humidity storage reduces caking and quality loss in dried botanical roots.
Shelf Life- Dried form enables year-round availability; shelf life is primarily limited by moisture ingress, insect infestation, and odor/flavor degradation.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighMarket entry can be blocked by detention or rejection if plant quarantine documentation/conditions are not met for a regulated plant product and/or if FSSAI-controlled import clearance (for food-use consignments) identifies non-conformance during document scrutiny, inspection, sampling, and testing.Confirm intended-use classification (food ingredient vs. medicinal raw drug) early; align shipment dossier with DPPQS plant quarantine requirements and FSSAI import clearance workflow where applicable; run pre-shipment contaminant and identity checks and ensure document consistency.
Food Safety MediumAdulteration/substitution risk is documented in Indian Ayurveda reference material (e.g., Gunjaa moola / Abrus precatorius root cited as an adulterant), creating acute safety and compliance exposure if botanical identity is not controlled.Use authenticated supplier qualification plus incoming QC (botanical ID by microscopy/DNA where appropriate; marker-compound methods) and maintain lot traceability from origin to finished batch.
Supply MediumSupply continuity risk arises from reported reliance on imported raw licorice roots for Indian processing and trade, which can be disrupted by origin-country instability, border constraints, or sudden trade friction.Diversify origins and contracting strategy; qualify multiple suppliers; evaluate domestic cultivation partnerships in documented producing/occurrence regions.
Logistics MediumFreight volatility and routing disruption can materially change landed cost and lead time for bulk dried root consignments, affecting procurement planning and price competitiveness in India.Build buffer inventory ahead of peak logistics risk periods; negotiate flexible shipping terms and maintain alternative routing options.
Sustainability- Supply resilience focus: domestic cultivation development (including salt-tolerant/local varieties reported in coastal Gujarat research) to reduce vulnerability to imported raw-root dependence.
FAQ
Which Indian authorities are involved in clearing imported dried licorice root?Imports of plant products can fall under India’s plant quarantine framework implemented by the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage (DPPQS). If the consignment is treated as a food article and is referred by Customs, FSSAI may clear it through document scrutiny, inspection, and risk-based sampling/testing via the Food Import Clearance System (FICS) before issuing an import NOC.
What is a major quality-integrity risk for mulethi/yashtimadhu in India?A key risk is adulteration or substitution: Ministry of AYUSH reference material notes Gunjaa moola (Abrus precatorius root) as an adulterant. That makes authenticated botanical identification and batch traceability important controls for buyers and importers.
What is the most trade-disruptive risk for importing dried licorice root into India?The biggest disruption risk is clearance failure at entry—either plant-quarantine non-compliance for a regulated plant product or a non-conforming outcome under FSSAI’s import clearance process for food-use consignments (which can include document checks, inspection, sampling, and testing).