Licorice Root Market Report 2026

Licorice Root Market Overview

• Licorice Root market size has reached to $3.24 billion in 2025 • Expected to grow to $4.5 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6% • Growth Driver: Pharmaceutical Industry Demand Drives Growth Of The Licorice Root Market • Market Trend: Innovative Flavors Bring Licorice to the Summer Spotlight • North America was the largest region in 2025.

What Is Covered Under Licorice Root Market?

Licorice root is the root of the Glycyrrhiza glabra plant, which is native to Europe and Asia. It contains a compound called glycyrrhizin, which is responsible for its sweet flavor and many of its medicinal properties. Licorice root is often used to treat digestive issues such as indigestion, heartburn, and gastritis. It can help soothe the lining of the stomach and intestines. The main product types of licorice root are essential oils, liquid malt extract, oleoresins, herbs and spices dry malt extract, and malt flour. Roots refer to the underground parts of plants, the origins or sources of things, anatomical structures, linguistic elements, mathematical concepts, and musical foundations. The product forms includes roots, and extracts with different grade types such as essential standard malt, caramelized malt, and roasted malt. The various function types include performance enhancers and palatability enhancers. These are used by various end users such as the food and beverage industry, tobacco industry, pharmaceutical industry, cosmetic industry, dietary supplements.

What Is The Licorice Root Market Growth Forecast?

The licorice root market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $4.5 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand from nutraceuticals sector, expansion of clean-label food formulations, rising use in pharmaceutical research, growing cosmetic applications, increasing focus on sustainable herb sourcing. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing use of licorice in herbal remedies, rising demand for natural sweeteners, expansion of licorice extract applications, growing preference for plant-based ingredients, enhanced focus on standardized extract quality.

Global Licorice Root Market Segmentation

1) By Product Type: Oleoresins, Herbs And Spices 2) By Product Form: Roots, Extracts 3) By End User: Food And Beverage Industry, Tobacco Industry, Pharmaceutical Industry, Cosmetic Industry, Dietary Supplements Subsegments: 1) By Oleoresins: Licorice Oleoresins for Flavoring, Licorice Oleoresins for Pharmaceuticals 2) By Herbs and Spices: Whole Licorice Root, Ground Licorice Root

What Is The Driver Of The Licorice Root Market?

Growing demand in the pharmaceutical industry is expected to propel the growth of the licorice root market going forward. The pharmaceutical industry refers to companies and organizations involved in the research, development, production, and distribution of drugs and medications. Demand in the pharmaceutical industry is growing due to factors such as an aging population, increased prevalence of chronic and infectious diseases, and improved global access to healthcare. Licorice root is used in the pharmaceutical industry for its anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties, aiding in treatments for digestive issues, respiratory ailments, and immune support formulations. For instance, in July 2025, according to the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), a Belgium-based industry association, in 2024, the global prescription-pharmaceutical market increased to $1,528,535 million, reflecting growth compared to 2023. Therefore, growing demand in the pharmaceutical industry is driving the growth of the licorice root industry.

What Is The Driver Of The Licorice Root Market?

Growing demand in the pharmaceutical industry is expected to propel the growth of the licorice root market going forward. The pharmaceutical industry refers to companies and organizations involved in the research, development, production, and distribution of drugs and medications. Demand in the pharmaceutical industry is growing due to factors such as an aging population, increased prevalence of chronic and infectious diseases, and improved global access to healthcare. Licorice root is used in the pharmaceutical industry for its anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties, aiding in treatments for digestive issues, respiratory ailments, and immune support formulations. For instance, in July 2025, according to the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), a Belgium-based industry association, in 2024, the global prescription-pharmaceutical market increased to $1,528,535 million, reflecting growth compared to 2023. Therefore, growing demand in the pharmaceutical industry is driving the growth of the licorice root industry.

Global Licorice Root Market Trends and Insights

Major companies operating in the Licorice Root market are focusing on developing innovative solutions, such as premium licorice confectionery collections, to meet the rising demand for natural, plant-based flavoring and functional ingredients in snacks and wellness products. Premium licorice collections typically feature high-quality licorice root extracts combined with complementary flavors, offering a healthier and more refined alternative to traditional sugar-heavy licorice products. For instance, in June 2024, Bülow, a Denmark-based confectionery company, launched the 2024 Lakrids by Bülow Summer Collection, an innovative licorice product line introduced after 2022. This collection includes licorice pieces crafted with natural licorice root extract, blended with exotic ingredients such as tropical fruits and delicate spices. The products are designed to provide a balanced flavor profile, combining the traditional sweetness and chewiness of licorice with modern taste innovations, while maintaining a high-quality, artisan feel. These offerings are suitable for gourmet snacking, gifting, and premium retail experiences, highlighting both taste sophistication and natural ingredient appeal.

What Are Latest Mergers And Acquisitions In The Licorice Root Market?

In June 2023, Theo Chocolate, a US-based Seattle-based chocolate company, announced a merger with American Licorice Company. The merger with American Licorice Company provides Theo Chocolate with a strategic partner to navigate rising costs and operational challenges while allowing the brand to continue its mission of delivering high-quality organic chocolate. American Licorice Company is a US-based company that manufactures licorice root products.

Regional Outlook

North America was the largest region in the licorice root market in 2025. The regions covered in this market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in this market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada

What Defines the Licorice Root Market?

The licorice root market consists of the sales of glycyrrhiza glabra, glycyrrhiza uralensis, and glycyrrhiza inflata. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

How is Market Value Defined and Measured?

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified). The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

What Key Data and Analysis Are Included in the Licorice Root Market Report 2026?

The licorice root market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides market statistics, including industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the market share, detailed market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the licorice root industry. The market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future state of the industry.