Food manufacturers sourcing licorice for EU markets require glycyrrhizin content disclosure and labelling compliance. Nutrada lists GFSI-certified licorice suppliers from Turkey, Central Asia, and China, filterable by form and MOQ.
| Value | Description |
| Botanical name | Glycyrrhiza glabra (Spanish licorice), G. uralensis (Chinese) |
| Available forms | Dried root, extract (DER), powder |
| Origins | Turkey, Uzbekistan, China, Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan |
| Certifications | GFSI (BRCGS, IFS, FSSC 22000), EU Organic, Kosher, Halal |
| Common applications | Confectionery, herbal teas, supplements, tobacco flavouring |
| Packaging | 5-25 kg bags |
| MOQ | 25kg |
| Category | Herbs Wholesale |
| Form | What it means for procurement | Typical application |
| Dried root | Whole root pieces with 4-25% glycyrrhizin; requires grinding for most applications | Traditional confectionery, herbal tea blends, extract production |
| Extract (DER) | Concentrated liquid or solid with standardised glycyrrhizin content; defined drug-extract ratio | Confectionery flavouring, supplement formulations |
| Powder | Ground root with controlled particle size; 4-25% glycyrrhizin | Direct ingredient addition, tablet pressing, tea bag production |
| Variety | What it means for procurement | Commercial consideration |
| Glycyrrhiza glabra (Spanish) | Primary European species; sweeter profile with higher glycyrrhizin | Turkey is the main EU supply source |
| Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Chinese) | Different glycyrrhizin profile; traditionally used in TCM formulations | Primarily sourced from China for herbal applications |
Uzbekistan accounts for 37% of global licorice root exports, with wild-harvested material from the Karakalpakstan and Bukhara regions presenting supply concentration risks for buyers requiring stable year-round availability. China represents 51% of global imports while maintaining significant production in Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, and Xinjiang, creating processing infrastructure advantages for extract and powder forms. Turkmenistan exported over 3,300 tonnes in the first half of 2023 to China, India, and Russia, with harvest timing from the Karakum Desert margins affecting seasonal availability. EU regulatory requirements mandate glycyrrhizin labelling on confectionery containing above 100 mg/kg under Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, requiring certification-backed CoA verification for products entering European markets.
Licorice root is hygroscopic and requires moisture control below 12-14% to prevent mould growth and glycyrrhizin degradation. Storage below 25 degrees Celsius at under 65% relative humidity maintains quality for 18-24 months in 5-25 kg moisture-barrier bags. Buyers must request glycyrrhizin content analysis on each CoA to ensure compliance with EU labelling thresholds and finished product specifications.
Turkey and China offer EU Organic certified licorice root and extract, with Turkish suppliers providing dual EU/USDA NOP certification for export flexibility. Chinese organic licorice faces longer certification lead times due to wild-harvesting documentation requirements under organic standards.
Consumer packaging includes 50g-250g resealable pouches for loose root, tea sachets for cut material, and capsules for standardised extract. Private label MOQ typically starts at 500-1000 units per SKU depending on format. Buyers must specify target glycyrrhizin content before production begins to ensure consistent flavour strength across batches.
European licorice suppliers concentrate in Turkey with processing facilities near growing regions, while Chinese manufacturers offer extract standardisation capabilities for supplement applications. Herbal tea blenders frequently combine licorice with fennel and anise for digestive blends, requiring coordinated sourcing of compatible flavour profiles. Request batch-specific CoA showing glycyrrhizin percentage, moisture content, and full EU pesticide panel results before ordering.
Nutrada lists GFSI-certified licorice suppliers from Turkey, Central Asia, and China, covering root, extract, and powder forms across conventional and organic supply. All orders are placed directly with certified suppliers, with no intermediary.
Last updated: Apr 10, 2026
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