Licorice Root Market

Licorice Root Market Size, Market Forecast and Outlook By FMI

The global licorice root market value secured USD 1.0 billion in 2025. Increase in demand is expected to surpass USD 1.1 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 7.4% during the forecast period. Steady demand takes the total valuation to USD 2.3 billion by 2036 as concentration-led buying standards keep pushing manufacturers toward defined extract grades, better documentation, and repeatable active-content control.

Summary of Licorice Root Market

• Market Snapshot
  • The global licorice root market secured USD 1.0 billion in 2025 and is projected to garner USD 2.3 billion by 2036.
  • Industry expansion runs at 7.4% from 2026 to 2036, creating an incremental opportunity of USD 1.2 billion over the decade.
  • Category scope covers raw root, paste, powdered forms, dry and liquid extracts, standardized grades, and DGL formats used across pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food, cosmetic, and traditional medicine channels.
• Demand and Growth Drivers
  • Respiratory and digestive formulations keep supporting demand because licorice already has recognized use positions in cough suppressants, expectorant drugs, and related herbal preparation systems.
  • Standardized grades are gaining traction because manufacturers can align active-content targets more easily with regulated labels, dosage formats, and repeat batch performance.
  • Traditional medicine remains commercially relevant, with an estimated 11.4% share in application terms in 2026, because long-standing use in TCM, Ayurveda, and Unani keeps consumer acceptance high.
  • Geographical development projections include, China is anticipated to scale at 8.4% and India at an expected 8.1%, seemingly followed by the USA at an estimated 6.2%, Germany at 5.8%, the UK at 5.6%, and Japan at 5.0% by 2036.
  • Commercial pacing is still checked by taste management, documentation needs, and glycyrrhizin safety thresholds, especially in products positioned for routine daily intake.
• Product and Segment View
  • Whole root is poised to lead product form with an estimated 18.7% share in 2026 because traditional processing routes and herbal-preparation familiarity still matter in supply and downstream formulation behavior.
  • Within application, cough & cold preparations are likely to account for an anticipated 14.7% share in 2026, reflecting licorice’s durable role in soothing, demulcent, and respiratory-support positioning.
  • Medium Glycyrrhizin (10-20%) seemingly leads active compound standardization at an estimated 26.0% share, helped by its balance between efficacy-linked positioning and easier formulation control.
  • Nutraceutical & dietary supplements are set to hold a projected 12.9% share, while food & beverage are poised to garner an expected 8.9% in 2026, showing that wellness-led commercial use is wider than medicine alone.
  • Included scope covers licorice root, paste, extract, and standardized derivative formats sold for finished-product formulation. Excluded scope covers unprocessed farm output sold without commercial grading, unrelated herbal roots, and finished multi-herb products where licorice is only a minor undeclared support ingredient.
• Geography and Competitive Outlook
  • China and India remain fastest-growing demand bases, while the USA keeps a steadier higher-value profile linked to standardized imports, branded supplements, and regulated finished products.
  • Europe stays more selective, with Germany and the UK offering better fit for botanical ingredients than for loosely specified bulk material, which aligns with nearby FMI spaces such as EU supplements and North American supplements.
  • Competition includes MAFCO Worldwide, Norevo, F&C Licorice, Sepidan Osareh Jonoob, Zagros Licorice, ASEH Licorice, Maruzen Pharmaceuticals, Givaudan (Naturex), VPL Chemicals, Sabinsa, Botanic Healthcare, Martin Bauer Group, Nordmann, Licorman, and Sunpure Extracts.
  • Competitive strength rests less on branding alone and more on extract consistency, documentation readiness, application fit, and supply continuity across pharmaceutical and wellness buyers.

Grade choices now happen much earlier in product planning. Confectionery and bakery makers can use a wider range of extracts. Sweetness levels must still be controlled. Residue limits need testing. Buyers expect clear paperwork before scaling up. Repeat orders grow faster when a supplier meets these exact needs across several product types. Small suppliers can win by sourcing locally and by listening closely to customers. A tight fit for a specific use often beats a one-size-fits-all catalog. Good formulation practice matters more than simply marketing a product as natural. Early and practical decisions make later steps smoother for everyone involved.

Locking in a specification speeds a later launch. After taste checks and paperwork are complete, new products move faster. Brand owners avoid repeated approvals by picking an extract and concentration early. Using one grade across supplements, health products, and flavor lines reduces validation work. Finished products get accepted when the ingredient works in the recipe rather than when its story sounds good. Suppliers that deliver steady quality and clear documents win repeat business. Industry expansion favors partners who balance cost with reliable performance and simple compliance. As Mr. Chunhua Li, the founder and principal shareholder of BGG, stated, “We strongly believe that our three leading technology platforms, botanical extraction, enzymatic conversion, and micro-algae farming, combined with continuous investment in clinical trials, will provide our customers with high-value, sustainable business potential for the long-term future."

Geographic performance remains uneven across industry. China is anticipated to develop at an estimated 8.4% CAGR, and India, at an 8.1% CAGR by 2036, are expected to expand faster compared to mature Western countries because traditional-use familiarity, extraction capacity, and ingredient processing depth remain stronger in both countries. Demand in the USA is projected to rise at 6.2% CAGR, while Germany is anticipated to secure 5.8%, the UK is expected to project 5.6%, and Japan is poised to record a predicted 5.0%, as these markets depend more on regulated applications, branded supplements, and premium herbal positioning than on scale-led botanical processing. Projected gap keeps global growth healthy. It also means suppliers need two different commercial approaches, to build around volume and processing reach, and to be shaped by documentation, standardization, and compliance-heavy value capture.

Segmental Analysis

Global Licorice Root Market Analysis by Product Form

Product-form choice begins with how much processing control a manufacturer wants to keep in-house. Whole root is poised to garner an estimated 18.7% share in 2026, as this form suits herbal processors and traditional medicine makers who require flexibility for cutting and decoction. It also appeals to extract producers that need customized grinding or tailored extraction methods. Manufacturers that prioritize easier blending often move toward powdered or liquid formats to reduce handling steps. Smaller formats tend to serve niche applications rather than broad-volume purchasing. Decisions hinge on whether a company values adaptability or streamlined operations. In markets where hands-on processing is a strategic advantage, whole root retains its leading position and shapes sourcing and production choices across the supply chain.

• Traditional Compatibility: Whole root stays relevant in applications where botanical authenticity and process flexibility matter more than immediate convenience.
• Handling Trade-Off: Paste, liquid extract, and dry extract simplify manufacturing, yet some buyers still prefer roots or powders when they want tighter in-house control over processing sequence.
• Standardization Pressure: Standardized extract and DGL formats remain smaller by form share, but they gain importance faster in products facing stricter composition review.

Global Licorice Root Market Analysis by Application

Application demand spans routine health categories but one specific use case shows a clearer commercial base. Manufacturers favor formulations that deliver immediate symptomatic relief and that can be produced at scale. Nutraceuticals and traditional medicine continue to absorb licorice into repeat-use products where brand positioning justifies formulation costs. Food and beverage adoption is more selective due to taste and glycyrrhizin constraints which limit broad inclusion. Regulatory scrutiny and labeling requirements also shape how widely licorice is used in mainstream food items. Cough and cold preparations are set to hold an estimated 14.7% share in 2026 because licorice's familiar soothing role in syrups and lozenges supports steady demand among consumers who seek quick relief. Supply chain familiarity with licorice extracts reduces formulation risk for cough products. Retail demand for familiar remedies sustains shelf space and repeat purchases. Such an estimate reflects licorice's entrenched position in respiratory remedies and its long history of consumer trust.

• Routine Use Fit: Respiratory and digestive categories perform well because licorice already sits inside familiar consumer and practitioner use logic.
• Channel Breadth: Supplements, food, cosmetics, and tobacco use widen revenue opportunities, though each channel asks for a different balance of taste control, active-content range, and documentation.
• Underestimated Point: Application share alone does not show how much formulation work rises when licorice moves from traditional herbal formats into repeat-use wellness products.

Global Licorice Root Market Analysis by Active Compound Standardization

Standardization determines how manufacturers work with licorice across regulated and wellness products. Medium glycyrrhizin grades (10-20%) occupy a practical middle ground and are estimated at 26.0% share in 2026, reflecting strong demand for a balance between potency and formulation ease. Manufacturers favor grades that allow activity control without complex reformulation. Regulatory testing proves simpler for mid-range assays. Supply chains report steadier assay ranges for medium glycyrrhizin material. Formulators can adjust concentrations without major recipe changes. Purchasing groups value predictable pricing and consistent quality. Industry witnesses growth where documentation and handling requirements remain manageable. Steady supplier performance and clear specifications drive repeat purchases.

• Commercial Balance: Medium standardized grades fit more formulations because they reduce both under-delivery risk and over-concentration concerns.
• Regulatory Relevance: DGL matters because safety-linked positioning often determines whether a product can stay in regular-use channels.
• Non-Obvious Signal: Standardization share does not simply reflect efficacy preference; it often reflects how much uncertainty a manufacturer is willing to carry into scale-up and label review.

Global Licorice Root Market Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities

Demand keeps moving because licorice fits several commercial lanes at once. Pharmaceutical and herbal product manufacturers value licorice for cough care. Many also use it for digestive support. Some apply it in anti-inflammatory preparations. Formulators position actives by heritage plant origin and composition control. Overlap increases licorice’s staying power compared with single use botanicals. Linking licorice to adjacent categories such as dietary supplements, botanical extracts, and Tulsi extracts strengthens market resilience.

Restraint comes from execution rather than interest alone. Taste masking can slow approvals. Glycyrrhizin safety reviews add delay. Batch inconsistency creates reformulation needs. Application specific documentation forces extra work for daily use products. Suppliers unable to demonstrate reliable active ranges or stable sourcing face a harder sell despite healthy raw licorice demand. DGL and well-defined extracts gain ground in such cases.

• Opportunity In Standardized Grades: Growth room remains strongest in products using medium-range glycyrrhizin and DGL formats because they fit more tightly controlled formulation systems.
• Opportunity In Wellness Channels: Supplements and functional personal care can absorb more licorice value when documentation, sensory control, and labeling are handled early.
• Opportunity In Region-Specific Playbooks: China and India favor scale-led botanical familiarity, while the USA and Europe reward cleaner documentation and tighter active-content positioning.

Regional Analysis

Global demand does not move for one reason everywhere. Asia supplies scale and traditional familiarity, North America pays for higher documentation comfort, and Europe rewards disciplined botanical positioning with clearer formulation control.

Source: Future Market Insights (FMI) analysis, based on proprietary forecasting model and primary research

Asia Pacific Global Licorice Root Market Analysis

Asia Pacific holds the largest licorice demand. Strong cultivation and deep extraction expertise sit beside longstanding traditional use in a single commercial corridor. Sourcing near processing hubs reduces freight strain for bulky raw material and speeds conversion into powders pastes and extracts. Regulatory pathways align with established herbal systems. Such alignment helps licorice enter respiratory digestive and traditional remedy products with less education than newer wellness categories. Country performance varies across the region. China expands on an industrial scale. India benefits from medicine system familiarity. Japan requires strict documentation and tight specifications which favor steady and selective commercial growth.

• China: China’s swiftly progressing sector is forecast to expand at 8.4% CAGR by 2036, and that pace is supported by a rare combination of cultivation depth, extraction capacity, and established herbal medicine demand. Local processors are better positioned to work across raw root, powders, and standardized formats without relying on long import chains, which improves responsiveness when downstream manufacturers change formulation requirements. Demand also stays broader here because licorice already fits respiratory, digestive, and traditional medicine categories with less consumer explanation than in many Western markets. Export readiness adds another layer of commercial pull. Producers that can document active-content consistency and contaminant control are able to serve both domestic volume and cross-border botanical ingredient requirements from the same operating base.
• India: Ayurveda-linked familiarity gives India a strong commercial foundation, while domestic botanical processing and medicine manufacturing keep licorice close to recurring product demand. Supply chains here benefit from lower barriers to acceptance in traditional wellness categories, and that reduces time spent proving basic ingredient relevance to practitioners and consumers. Even with that discipline in place, India is expected to post an 8.1% CAGR by 2036 because established therapeutic familiarity keeps volume movement steadier than newer health ingredients usually achieve. Extract makers and finished-product companies also have room to position licorice across digestive, cough-support, and supplement formats without forcing a wholly new use narrative. Cost sensitivity still shapes purchasing decisions, especially outside premium urban channels.
• Japan: Japan offers a more measured route for licorice suppliers because commercial success depends less on cultural novelty and more on specification discipline, documentation quality, and formulation precision. Finished-product manufacturers tend to scrutinize active-content consistency, safety thresholds, and processing behavior before widening usage, which slows expansion compared with China or India but improves product-level control once approval is secured. Demand is also narrower by application, with cleaner preference for documented extracts and standardized formats rather than loosely specified raw-material use. Purchasing groups usually expect fewer batch surprises and clearer technical support from ingredient partners. Reflecting the steady progress in sales for the country as anticipated to progress at 5.0% CAGR by 2036 instead of tracking the faster, scale-led pattern seen elsewhere in Asia.

FMI observes, Asia Pacific is likely to remain the volume center of the industry because raw material access with extraction capacity, and traditional use familiarity stay closely linked across the region. China and India continue to support expansion, while Japan adds a more selective layer through tighter specification needs in higher-value uses. Regional strength is expected to come from scale including processing depth, and established use acceptance rather than short-term category interest.

North America Global Licorice Root Market Analysis

North America evaluates licorice with a documentation-heavy mindset. Finished-product companies demand clear specifications. Contaminant control ranks high. Safety review follows. Legal scrutiny is strict. Labeling rules are tight. Retailers apply close oversight. Commercial use still supports supplements and cough-care products. Digestive wellness and selected personal care formats remain viable. Market access often depends on supplier support for formulation work. Clean paperwork and consistent active-content profiles determine access. Imported material competes on more than raw price. Suppliers that reduce verification effort earn stronger repeat business. Standardized extracts and DGL grades perform well for products destined for regulated shelves. Brand-sensitive consumer categories favor suppliers who simplify verification.

• United States: Branded supplements, herbal wellness products, and documented botanical formulations keep the USA relevant even though growth is slower than in Asia. Demand for the product in the USA is projected to rise at 6.2% CAGR by 2036, which reflects stable commercial adoption rather than a rush into undeveloped end-use territory. Manufacturers in this country often work backward from label risk, retailer acceptance, and product consistency, so ingredient partners need more than broad botanical availability to win repeat orders. Standardized formats and application support matter because product claims can come under closer review once licorice is placed into cough relief, digestive support, or daily-use supplement lines. Formulation groups also look for fewer surprises around glycyrrhizin range and sensory impact.

FMI analyses, North America is likely to remain an important value-led region because commercial success depends more on composition reliability, documentation quality, and formulation support than on bulk botanical availability. USA demand gives the region its main structure and keeps standardized extracts and DGL formats relevant in regulated and brand-sensitive categories. Suppliers that reduce verification effort and maintain consistent active-content ranges are expected to stay better placed over time.

Europe Global Licorice Root Market Analysis

Selective expansion of licorice’s demand in Europe shapes product mix and supplier choice. Manufacturers often require stronger documentation. Clean sourcing records are expected. Tighter specification control is necessary before broadening botanical use in health-positioned products. Demand still flows into supplements and herbal preparations. A narrower set of food and personal care applications also shows uptake. Suppliers offering consistency outperform broad-catalog vendors. Trade channels reward partners that support import compliance and formulation predictability. Disciplined adoption drives growth instead of fast experimentation. Such an approach keeps Europe commercially attractive for suppliers able to meet higher documentation expectations at workable cost.

• Germany: Germany benefits from a solid ingredient trade base, experienced botanical processing relationships, and a finished-product environment that rewards documentation-backed materials. Manufacturers here often prefer ingredient programs that reduce uncertainty around active-content range, contaminant control, and repeatability from batch to batch, especially when licorice is used in supplements, digestive products, or herbal wellness formulations. Market expansion is steadier than aggressive because approval comfort matters more than novelty in many commercial categories. Suppliers with cleaner technical files and reliable delivery terms usually have a better chance of staying inside approved product lines once they are specified. Germany is likely to record a projected 5.8% CAGR in the sector during the forecast period, supported by disciplined demand rather than broad-based experimentation.
• United Kingdom: The country’s industry demand reflects a mix of wellness-led retailing, herbal product familiarity, and cautious purchasing discipline from manufacturers that want fewer compliance surprises. Industry sales in the UK are expected to increase at 5.6% CAGR by 2036, which fits a market that grows through controlled adoption rather than rapid category expansion. Licorice can still find room in supplements, cough-support products, and selected digestive or personal care formats, yet product developers often narrow usage toward formats where labeling, taste control, and active-content expectations can be handled without excessive reformulation work. Imported ingredients therefore compete strongly on documentation quality and service dependability. Smaller channels may move faster, but larger-volume programs usually need steadier specification support before purchase commitments widen.

FMI assesses, Europe is expected to remain measured but commercially meaningful because licorice adoption moves through disciplined botanical positioning rather than rapid experimentation. Germany and the UK support that pattern by favoring cleaner technical files, steadier sourcing records, and more predictable formulation behavior across supplements and herbal products. Regional progress is therefore likely to favor suppliers that can match documentation strength with repeatable product quality at a workable cost.

Competitive Aligners for Market Players

Competition remains moderately fragmented because licorice moves through pharmaceutical, herbal, supplement, food, and ingredient trade channels that reward different capabilities. MAFCO Worldwide, Norevo, F&C Licorice, Sepidan Osareh Jonoob, Zagros Licorice, ASEH Licorice, and Maruzen Pharmaceuticals do not all compete on the same basis. Some are stronger in standardized extract supply, some in regional raw-material access, and others in application-specific documentation or formulation support. Commercial spread keeps concentration low even though established names carry more visibility in regulated or repeat-order business.

Established suppliers usually gain ground when formulation teams want fewer qualification cycles, steadier composition ranges, and cleaner technical files. Purchase decisions in this sector are often influenced by how confidently a manufacturer can move from sample approval to repeat commercial supply without reopening safety or active-content questions. Service reliability matters just as much as ingredient identity. A supplier that can deliver consistent batches, respond quickly to specification questions, and support different licorice formats often keeps business longer than one competing on price alone.

Switching still happens when manufacturers detect a mismatch between documentation quality and sensory performance. Day-to-day responsiveness can also trigger change. Commercial teams avoid disruption in botanical inputs that affect claims or taste profile. Compliance review concerns make replacement decisions deliberate rather than impulsive. Smaller participants can win by offering cleaner regional sourcing. Sharper attention to customer requests helps them compete. Better fit for narrow applications gives newcomers an edge. Competitive movement therefore depends on execution discipline and application fit more than on broad brand visibility.

Recent Developments

• In March 2024, KOSÉ renewed its long-running SEKKISEI line with MEDICATED SEKKISEI BRIGHTENING ESSENCE LOTION, and the company states the product contains an active ingredient derived from licorice root for brightening and rough-skin care. This is relevant because it shows continued downstream cosmetic demand for licorice-derived actives in premium skincare.
• In April 2024, ingredient supplier BGG said it was broadening its food-ingredients push and starting with its existing stevia and licorice extract systems, alongside a wider international expansion effort. This matters because it points to active commercialization of licorice extract solutions beyond legacy herbal use and into broader food formulation work.
• In June 2024, COVERGIRL launched its Clean Fresh Blurring Skin Tint, and the company said the formula includes Licorice Root Extract alongside niacinamide and SPF 30.

Key Players in Global Licorice Root Market

• MAFCO Worldwide
• Norevo
• F&C Licorice
• Sepidan Osareh Jonoob
• Zagros Licorice
• ASEH Licorice
• Maruzen Pharmaceuticals
• Givaudan (Naturex)
• VPL Chemicals
• Sabinsa
• Botanic Healthcare
• Martin Bauer Group
• Nordmann
• Licorman
• Sunpure Extracts

Scope of the Report

Source: Future Market Insights (FMI) analysis, based on proprietary forecasting model and primary research

Licorice Root Market Analysis by Segments

By Product Form:

• Whole Root
• Cut & Sifted Root
• Powdered Root
• Granulated Root
• Flakes
• Licorice Root Paste
• Liquid Extract
• Dry Extract
• Standardized Extract (10%, 20%, 40% Glycyrrhizin)
• Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL)

By Application:

• Cough & Cold Preparations
• Gastrointestinal Treatments
• Anti-Ulcer Formulations
• Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
• Liver Support Medicines
• Hormonal Balance Therapies
• Traditional Medicine (TCM, Ayurveda, Unani)
• Nutraceutical & Dietary Supplements
• Food & Beverage
• Tobacco Industry
• Cosmetics & Personal Care
• Animal Feed & Veterinary

By Active Compound Standardization:

• High Glycyrrhizin (>20%)
• Medium Glycyrrhizin (10-20%)
• Low Glycyrrhizin (<10%)
• Deglycyrrhizinated (DGL)
• Glabridin-Enriched Extract
• Flavonoid-Rich Extract

By Region:

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Middle East & Africa

Bibliography

• Gelski, J. (2024, April 25). China-based ingredients supplier hiring US sales managers. Food Business News.
• KOSÉ Corporation. (2024). KOSÉ Report 2024.
• Nelis, S. (2024, May 16). China’s BGG establishing new HQ in Switzerland to pursue double business growth in five years. NutraIngredients.
• COVERGIRL. (2024, June 17). COVERGIRL takes skinification to the next level with new TruBlend skin enhancer primers & luminizers and Clean Fresh blurring skin tint. Business Wire.
• Wu, T., et al. (2024). Effects of Licorice Functional Components Intakes on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients, 16(21), 3768.
• Semenescu, I., et al. (2024). Phytochemical, Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Safety Profile of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. Extract Obtained from Romania. Plants, 13(23), 3265.
• Giangrandi, I., et al. (2024). Licorice and liver function in patients with primary liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Herbal Medicine.
• Xiang, L., et al. (2025). Discovery, Biomanufacture, and Derivatization of Licorice Triterpenoids. Biotechnology Advances.
• European Medicines Agency. (2024, November 20). Species pectorales - MO.
• Health Canada. (2025, October 31). Natural Health Product: Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice - Buccal.
• Givaudan. (2026, March 19). 2025 Integrated Report on economic and ESG performance.  

This bibliography is provided for reader reference. The full FMI report contains the complete reference list with primary source documentation.

This Report Addresses

• Global Licorice Root Market valuation from 2025, 2026, and 2036 with forecast interpretation for 2026 to 2036.
• Product form positioning across whole root, powders, extracts, paste, and DGL formats.
• Application demand across respiratory care, gastrointestinal support, anti-ulcer use, traditional medicine, supplements, food, cosmetics, and tobacco.
• Why medium glycyrrhizin and DGL formats matter in commercial standardization decisions.
• Country-level growth direction for the USA, China, India, Germany, Japan, and the UK.
• Competitive structure across multinational extract suppliers, regional specialists, and long-tail participants.
• Commercial barriers tied to taste, documentation, safety thresholds, and batch consistency.
• How licorice root aligns with adjacent botanical, supplement, and herbal therapeutic categories.