The markets of China and Russia have a high demand for the licorice root extract that is produced in the Ural region. The once traditional production in the region has seen a second life thanks to last year’s industrial-innovative development programme. The project was initially designed as export-oriented. Now 100 percent of licorice products are exported abroad. In the Ural region, licorice production has a long tradition and its revival began last year. The licorice production situated in the village of Kushum in the Zelenovsk district is the only one in Kazakhstan. The Development Bank of Kazakhstan financed the project worth 565 million tenge.

Zhanbolat Nurguatov, Founder, Licorice Kazakhstan Ltd
«At present, we supply our products to China and Russia. In the long term, we plan to deliver them to America, Europe, and all member-states of the Customs Union. To do this, we need to expand our work to the fullest extent. At present, we use about 50% of the capacity. The plant is able to process up to 3 tonnes of dry-form roots and produce up to one thousand tonnes per year.»

Scientists have proven that the licorice which grows in the West Kazakhstan region has the highest concentration of nutrients. Licorice is as good as ginseng when it comes to curative properties. Licorice is used not only in medicine and beauty treatment, but also in the food industry.

Askar Narymbayev, Operations Director, Licorice Kazakhstan Ltd
«We make the final product in only a 6-7 hour work cycle. This is what makes our production facility so special.»

The company currently has over forty employees. Seasonal workers collect licorice in the rural areas. Production teams work in three districts in the region. The enterprise produces only an extract of licorice root for the time being and is planning to develop the manufacturing technique of glycyrrhizin as well as the production of licorice sticks and licorice syrup.