| As Iran seeks to diversify its economy beyond oil dependency, the strategic role of agricultural exports, particularly medicinal plants such as licorice, has gained prominence. This study conducts a comprehensive evaluation of Iran’s competitive standing in the global licorice trade by employing Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) and Revealed Symmetric Comparative Advantage (RSCA) indices, alongside market structure (MS) analysis using the Concentration Ratio (CR) and Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI). Utilizing data from the International Trade Center (ITC) for the period 2003–2022, findings reveal that while Iran possesses a notable comparative advantage in licorice exports, it remains highly susceptible to global market volatility and domestic structural inefficiencies. MS analysis indicates that licorice exports are predominantly controlled by a few key players, with 62–79% of total trade concentrated in Turkmenistan, China, France, and the UAE. Despite Iran’s potential, its 7.38% average market share is hindered by insufficient processing infrastructure, inconsistent trade policies, and limited global market integration. To strengthen its competitive position, Iran must implement strategic initiatives, including market diversification, value-added processing through advanced extraction techniques, compliance with international certification standards, and enhanced governmental and financial support mechanisms for exporters. These measures will be instrumental in reinforcing Iran’s foothold in the global licorice market and ensuring long-term sustainability in its export strategy. |
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