Licorice Extract Market Analysis & Forecast: 2026-2033
The Licorice Extract Market size is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.2% with USD 1,020 Mn in 2026 and is expected to reach USD 1,550 Mn in 2033. The primary drivers are largely defined by rising demand for natural flavoring, herbal supplements, and sugar-reduction ingredients across food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and tobacco. Some other factors include increasing use in digestive and respiratory wellness products, clean-label formulation trends, and FDA-recognized flavoring applications. WHO reported about 830 million people have diabetes globally, supporting demand for natural sweetening ingredients such as licorice extract.
The pharmaceutical grade segment is projected to account for the largest Licorice Extract Market share of 43.5% in 2026. The segment’s growth is owing to the preference for standardized, high‑purity extracts which meet pharmacopeia standards (BP/EP/USP) for use in antitussives, anti‑inflammatory, and gastroprotective formulations, which enhances formulation reliability and regulatory compliance.
The pharmaceutical grade extracts are also prioritized in clinical research owing to their consistent glycyrrhizin and other bioactive profiles, thereby facilitating accurate efficacy assessments. A current clinical trial (NCT07422883), first posted on ClinicalTrials.gov in February 2026, is evaluating licorice extract as an adjunctive therapy in stage II periodontitis. This underscores ongoing research interest in the therapeutic applications.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) recognized licorice root’s historical use in Assyrian, Egyptian, Greek, Arab, Chinese, Tibetan, and Indian cultures. Traditionally, it was applied for coughs, asthma, wound healing, and ailments of the lungs, liver, and arteries, thereby highlighting its longstanding medicinal significance.
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The powder segment lead with a major 60.5% share in 2026. The segment’s growth is owing to the easy incorporation of licorice extract powder into capsules, tablets, sachets, functional food mixes, confectionery, and beverage premixes. Powdered extracts also offer better shelf stability, transport efficiency, and dosage standardization compared to liquid extracts, making them more suitable for large-scale commercial formulations. The versatility also facilitates a wider use in dietary supplements, functional beverages, herbal formulations, and food products.
The dietary supplements like licorice extract are classified as foods in the U.S. and do not need FDA approval before marketing. The FDA estimates that more than 29,000 dietary supplements are available to consumers, thereby highlighting the broad formulation base which supports the demand for licorice extract powder.
In April 2026, Rohto Group unveiled a new ingredient named Licorice Extract Powder (Lyconin), which contains Gliasperin B. It has been recognized as Japan’s first approved functional food for managing body fat. This milestone expands opportunities for ingredient innovation and product development in the body fat reduction sector.
The global licorice extract market is witnessing accelerated growth as consumers increasingly prefer natural and clean-label ingredients across food, beverages, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceutical products. Licorice extract is gaining relevance because it is a plant-derived ingredient used for flavoring, sweetness, soothing properties, as well as functional formulation benefits.
The USDA Economic Research Service reported that the natural-labeled products accounted for 16% of the U.S. food purchases. This reflects a broader shift toward botanical as well as minimally processed ingredients. Similar clean-label preferences are also strengthening in Europe and Asia, where consumers are showing higher interest in herbal, traditional, and naturally sourced ingredients.
According to the CDC/NCHS, 57.6% of the U.S. adults used at least one , thereby supporting the demand for botanical ingredients in nutraceutical applications. The regulatory acceptance also supports the market growth, as the U.S. FDA permits licorice extract powder for use in food and supplement applications.
The recent advances in extraction and purification technologies are driving a major breakthrough in the Licorice Extract Market. Supercritical CO2 removal, filtration and membrane cleaning are just some of the processes today’s manufacturers can use to produce licorice extracts with very consistent levels of glycyrrhizin and low levels of impurities. These changes help in improving safety as well as effectiveness in food, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical uses.
According to the United States FDA, the glycyrrhizin levels are limited to 0.05% in baked goods, 0.15% in nonalcoholic beverages, 1.1% in chewing gum, 3.1% in soft candy, and 16.0% in hard candy, which strengthens the need for precise purification. In addition, the heavy metals are restricted to a maximum of 40 ppm, and arsenic is limited to 3 ppm, thus compelling adherence to validated purification methods.
A recent clinical trial conducted in June 2024 investigated licorice root powder in women with PCOS‑related metabolic syndrome. This highlights the growing demand for traceable, high‑purity botanical extracts which were produced through cutting edge technologies
Current Event |
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U.S. FDA GRAS Status for Licorice Extract under 21 CFR 184.1408 |
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EU Mandatory Labelling Rules for Glycyrrhizin-Containing Liquorice Foods |
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The Asia Pacific region accounts for 36.5% of the market share in 2026. The region’s growth is owing to the long-standing use of licorice in traditional Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Ayurvedic herbal practices and increasing adoption of standardized plant extracts in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, confectionery, and oral care products.
According to the China National Medical Products Administration, the traditional Chinese medicine institutions provided approximately 1.28 billion diagnoses and treatments in 2023. This shows that herbal ingredients like licorice extracts are widely used by both patients and consumers. According to the India’s AYUSH survey, between July 2022 and June 2023, nearly 46% of rural people and 53% of urban people used AYUSH therapies for prevention or treatment. This indicates that the traditional herbal remedies are widely accepted.
In May 2025, a registered clinical study (KCT0006998) showed that a mouthwash containing Glycyrrhiza uralensis extract significantly reduced periodontal indices and bacterial levels, underscoring the therapeutic potential of licorice extract in oral care.
North America is expected to witness strong growth in Licorice Extract Market over the forecast period. The region’s growth is owing to the rising demand for natural sweeteners, herbal ingredients, clean-label food additives, and plant-based dietary supplements. The region benefits from clear regulatory acceptance, which supports wider use of licorice extract across food, beverage, nutraceutical, and personal care applications.
In the U.S., the federal regulations permit licorice extract in liquid, paste/block, and spray-dried powder forms, thereby enabling manufacturers to develop diverse formulations. In Canada, the Health Canada’s Natural Health Products Ingredients Database recognizes Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice) Root Extract as an approved herbal substance in dry, standardized dry, liquid, along with standardized liquid extract forms. This strengthens product accessibility as well as formulation flexibility.
In May 2024, the University of Illinois Chicago launched a clinical trial to evaluate a licorice root–derived compound for its potential effects on prostate cancer. This study represents the first assessment of the natural product’s anti-cancer activity in patients awaiting surgical treatment.
In China’s Licorice Extract Market, the growth is driven by the strong domestic demand for medicinal and functional food applications, alongside the expanding export opportunities backed by government regulatory frameworks.
The domestic supply–demand data show that China produced approximately 7,060.7 tons of licorice extract in 2023, while domestic demand was around 7,755 tons. This highlights a tight balance between both local production as well as usage and indicates constrained processing capacity.
In December 2024, Qinghai Beili Licorice Technology Development Co., Ltd. made a new batch of licorice extract cream. The batch was prepared for international shipment from their warehouse in Gonghe County, Qinghai Province.
In the United States, growth in the Licorice Extract Market is driven by rising demand for natural sweeteners, herbal ingredients, and clean-label flavoring solutions across food, beverage, nutraceutical, and dietary supplement applications.
Licorice extract and licorice extract powder are listed in the FDA’s Substances Added to Food inventory as GRAS for use as flavoring agents or adjuvants under 21 CFR 184.1408. This regulatory clarity strengthens their lawful use in food as well as beverage formulations.
In addition, Volza’s Glycyrrhiza import data shows regular shipments of Glycyrrhiza glabra/licorice extract into the U.S., particularly from India, under HSN codes 13021919 and 13021200 during 2024–2025, thereby indicating sustained international supply and demand.
Some of the major key players in Licorice Extract Market are Norevo GmbH, MAFCO Worldwide LLC, FC Licorice, Zagros Licorice Co., Ransom NaturalsLtd., Aushadhi Herba, VPL Chemicals, Sepidan Osareh Co.
| Report Coverage | Details | ||
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| Base Year: | 2025 | Market Size in 2026: | USD 1,020 Mn |
| Historical Data for: | 2020 To 2024 | Forecast Period: | 2026 To 2033 |
| Forecast Period 2026 to 2033 CAGR: | 6.2% | 2033 Value Projection: | USD 1,550 Mn |
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| Companies covered: |
Norevo GmbH, MAFCO Worldwide LLC, FC Licorice, Zagros Licorice Co., Ransom NaturalsLtd., Aushadhi Herba, VPL Chemicals, Sepidan Osareh Co. |
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Sakshi Suryawanshi is a Research Consultant with 6 years of extensive experience in market research and consulting. She is proficient in market estimation, competitive analysis, and patent analysis. Sakshi excels in identifying market trends and evaluating competitive landscapes to provide actionable insights that drive strategic decision-making. Her expertise helps businesses navigate complex market dynamics and achieve their objectives effectively.
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