Abstract: 【Objective】 This study aims to comprehensively analyze the current status of licorice cultivation in Xinjiang and provide references for the sustainable development of the licorice industry in the region. 【Methods】 Through literature review, field investigation, and statistical analysis, the current situation of licorice cultivation in Xinjiang was examined. 【Results】 Xinjiang is rich in licorice germplasm resources, including Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., Glycyrrhiza inflata Batalin, and Glycyrrhiza glabra L., all of which are recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. By 2025, the total planting area across all prefectures and cities in Xinjiang is expected to reach 240,000 mu. The primary planting methods employed are high-density direct seeding and row seeding, with a seeding density ranging from 42,000 to 46,000 plants per mu. The fresh herb yield over a three-year period ranges from 1.2 to 2.0 tons per mu. However, most seeds are imported from Inner Mongolia and Gansu, and seed purity is generally low, often contaminated with other licorice varieties. Licorice is primarily sold as raw material to the mainland, with limited processing, a short industrial chain, and low product added value. In Altay Prefecture, the frost-free period is relatively short and the soil layer is shallow, which is not conducive to root development, making it a sub-optimal area for licorice cultivation. In contrast, the green oasis agricultural areas in southern Xinjiang feature sandy soil, a long frost-free period, deep soil layers, and an abundant labor force, making them highly suitable for licorice cultivation. 【Conclusion】 Xinjiang is currently the largest licorice production area in China and possesses significant resource advantages. Licorice exhibits strong drought and salt-alkali tolerance, making it a promising medicinal plant for adjusting the agricultural industrial structure and for use in windbreak and sand fixation projects. Northern Xinjiang's Altay region is the second most suitable area for licorice cultivation, southern Xinjiang is the most suitable area, and other regions in Xinjiang are generally suitable for licorice cultivation. The main bottlenecks restricting the development of the licorice industry include insufficient seed sources at the upstream stage and inadequate processing capabilities at the downstream stage of the industrial chain.