Liquorice

Liquorice is extracted from the roots of the perennial liquorice herb, often by rural communities across eastern Europe and central Asia. It has a wide range of uses across traditional medicine systems, confectionery, tea, and cosmetics.

Names

Liquorice, Glycyrrhiza glabra *

Found in ingredients as

Liquorice, Licorice

Used in

Top producers

Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, China, Iran, Turkmenistan

Conservation status

IUCN Red List:

CITES:

Not listed

*Note: While this profile focuses on Glycyrrhiza glabra, there are several other species of liquorice in trade. Two popular ones are Glycyrrhiza inflata Bat. and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. Species are usually harvested and traded simply as 'liquorice' and not distinguished between.

Access the full Liquorice ingredient profile

Opportunities

A collector in Spain harvesting wild Liquorice root

Conservation & Restoration

Liquorice is a pioneer species that helps re-establish overused or damaged land. It could be used for remediation of abandoned salt-affected soils such as those in Central Asia.

Liquorice also improves the soil nitrogen content, increases the soil organic matter, stimulates soil biological activity and improves soil’s water-holding capacity.

Standards & Certification

Certifications can be a supporting tool to ensure responsible sourcing. A wide range of standards are available that can be applied to wild-harvested plants, such as FairWild, Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT), Fairtrade, FairForLife, Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Organic, Rainforest Alliance, and Certificate of Origin (e.g. DOP/PDO, PGI, TCG). Liquorice was one of the first products to be FairWild certified.

Biological Risk

The plant’s roots are used, and it can therefore be destroyed through collection 

It reproduces sexually via insect pollination, but insects that can pollinate it are common

It has multiple well-documented uses and demand is increasing

However, the species is internationally widespread, adapted to various habitat types, can regenerate relatively quickly through its roots and rhizomes, and has no known significant threats across its entire range.

Social Risk

Assessed for Iran, Turkmenistan:

Assessed for Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, China:

Iran has high rates of modern slavery recorded in the country, while Turkmenistan has high levels of corruption.

Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan also have concerning rates of modern slavery.

Workers in Iran are reported to experience frequent violations of their right to freedom of association and collective bargaining.

Azerbaijan has documented cases of child labour in similar activities such as farming and harvesting of tea, tobacco, and potatoes.

Although none of the above risks relates directly to liquorice supply chains, they are important to keep in mind when trading with these countries.

In terms of health and safety, depending on the desired end product, liquorice processing can be complex and require machinery, requiring the provision of relevant training and safety equipment. 