The industry of dried licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) has developed a booming demand within the past decade in the areas of pharmaceuticals, nutraceutical, and food & beverage manufacturing industries. Licorice roots in their dried form, which were once regarded as only an herbal medicine in traditional medicine, now lie in the bag of possible global supply chains as strategic raw materials.
Entering purchase of dried licorice in large quantities is not an ordinary act by the B2B purchasers and international importers. It is about the adherence to the industry standards, much-needed consistency of quality and long-term supply stability. This is one of the reasons why bulk dried licorice suppliers continue to be patronised by pharma and food companies across the globe whose needs are highly extensive and regulated.
Pharmaceutical importance of dried licorice
Active compounds and medicinal value
The active constituent in dried licorice is its glycyrrhizin, a triterpenoid saponin, which helps to impart root its sweet taste and its therapeutic aspects. Research studies have demonstrated glycyrrhizin to possess anti-inflammatory, antiviral effects, hepatoprotective and expectorant properties and has therefore been of immense value in the current pharmaceuticals.
Pharmaceutical applications include:
- Cough syrups and expectorants – for respiratory relief.
- Digestive aids – soothing gastric irritation and ulcers.
- Liver-support medicines – protecting against hepatitis and fatty liver disease.
- Antiviral drugs – explored in formulations against influenza and hepatitis.
Regulatory compliance and industry standards
The pharmaceutical firms do not afford uncertainty in raw material. Bulk dried licorice should meet with:
- Pharmacopoeia standards (USP, EP, BP).
- Quality certifications such as GMP, HACCP, ISO, and FDA approvals.
- COA (Certificate of Analysis) for every batch, proving glycyrrhizin levels, purity, and absence of contaminants.
As a global pharma manufacturer, there is no option but to ensure that the wholesale dried licorice supplier you purchase from ensures your licorice root is of pharmaceutical quality.

Applications in the food and beverage industry
Natural sweetener and flavoring agent
Licorice has a sweetness of nearly 50 times that of regular sugar with no refined sugar. Thanks to this attribute, manufacturers have taken the idea of using dried licorice in different sectors to be very attractive to them. It pervades herbal teas and functional beverages as well as being used as a natural substitute in sugar-free candy and confectionery, and is prominent in the production of clean-label food products which are dependent on natural flavoring.
Meeting the demand for “Clean and Natural”
Much of the world is moving beyond processed and artificial foods to organic, natural goods. The new customers are becoming more and more concerned with the ingredients of the products that include organic ingredients and sustainably grown ingredients with minimal processing of the ingredients. This has compelled dried licorice to be very appealing to the international brand that wants to offer credibility and authenticity with its products. Consequently, importers and producers focus more on partnering with suppliers of dried licorice dried wholesale that can locally and internationally offer organic assurance, traceability, and sustain steady high-volume supply to accommodating markets.

Vietnam as a competitive source of bulk dried licorice
Although China, Iran, and India have dominated the exporting licorice root in the world markets for a long time, Vietnam has strategically established itself as the upcoming and stable exporter of the product in the international markets. Natural benefits and the changes in agronomic procedures and the further desire to follow global trade standards help the country become a more and more attractive destination to be addressed by importers.
There are favorable climatic and soil conditions to grow licorice plant in Vietnam. Particular areas in the country feature optimum temperature, rainfall and soil nutrients to match specificglycyrrhizin content in a licorice root – vital in both drug and non-drug applications.
Competitive pricing structure is one of the greatest strengths of Vietnam. In comparison with the standard suppliers in the Middle East or South Asia, the Vietnamese manufacturers can offer a favorable price, when huge amounts of the dried licorice are bought, yet it does not mean that their quality is lower. Such cost-effectiveness enables B2B buyers to get higher margins even when satisfying the stringent international requirements.
The Vietnamese exporters have progressively switched to utilising organic farming techniques and investing in certification (GMP, HACCP, ISO, and Organic). This will be conducive to the fact that international importers will be able to obtain licorice root which can cater to the needs of the regulatory factors as well as the ever-growing needs of clean and natural ingredients. In addition, an increasing number of suppliers are focusing on traceability and sustainable sourcing and this fits the requirements of international food and pharmaceutical brands.
Vietnam is strategically located geographically and has well established ports and logistics centers that promote the exportation to Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America. A number of Vietnamese suppliers are able to manage huge loads with the flexibility of small test orders to complete container loads. This also renders Vietnam a viable option to companies seeking long and steady contractual agreements.
Vietnam presents quite an attractive quality, compliance, price competitiveness, and dependable logistics package to the global importers. Such pros turn the country not only into an alternative supplier of dried licorice, but a partner in expanding operations abroad.

Conclusion
In licorice processing, licorice extraction, or the pharmaceutical food company, using licorice is no longer a commodity business. It is a calculated move to do with compliance, consistency and confidence in the ability of the supplier to deliver at scale.
Be it in pharmaceutical formulations, herbal teas, or natural flavours, the solution is determining the right wholesale supplier who can deliver international standard, certification, and the ability to offer long-term reliability.
As the importer, you may need a reliable bulk supplier of dried licorice root which we can provide in pharmaceutical grade or food grade depending on your requirements and the amounts you need.
Contact Greatfoods today to request a quotation or sample testing of bulk dried licorice.
For inquiries and orders, please contact us at:
- Facebook: Greatfoods
- Youtube: Greatfoodsvn
- Email: [email protected]
We are happy to partner with you in the future!