王子薬用植物研究所, a subsidiary of Oji Holdings, began harvesting licorice on 6 ha of company-owned land in Abira. Cultivation is also under way on 10 ha of farmland in Nayoro, with processing to be carried out at the Nayoro site and expansion into a wide range of applications under the “Oji Licorice” brand targeted.
王子薬用植物研究所 is cultivating licorice, a medicinal plant, on farmland across Hokkaido, including in Abira, and began harvesting operations on approximately 6 ha of company-owned land in Abira on the 20th. Harvesting is expected to continue through around the 23rd. The licorice will be taken to the Ebetsu branch office for drying and is planned to be made into products at a facility in Nayoro.
Licorice is an important medicinal plant used in kampo medicines. In addition to its cough-suppressing and anti-inflammatory effects, it is also used in cosmetics and beverages. Most domestic consumption depends on imports, and concerns about stable supply are growing because of resource depletion and changes in the international situation.
Oji Holdings owns 188,000 hectares of forest in Japan and has used its forestry expertise to advance cultivation through its research division since around 2013. It began testing large-scale cultivation in 2017 and established 王子薬用植物研究所 in 2021. The company has successfully commercialised products for use in crude drugs, cosmetics and food.
The company will continue harvesting operations in Abira through around the 23rd and is also considering outsourcing cultivation to farmers if demand increases.