Citrus fruit market in Sierra Leone

Earlier Report Observations

Citrus fruit production in Sierra Leone increased from 223.5 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 229.7 thousand tonnes in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in 2020 affected economic activities, but agricultural output, including citrus, continued to grow.

After a slight decline in 2021, production stabilized and reached 228.0 thousand tonnes by 2023. This period saw the launch of the government's Feed Salone agri-food transformation initiative and Sierra Leone's participation in the 50x2030 Initiative to enhance agricultural data systems, supporting sectoral development.

In 2024, key factors included the Medium-Term National Development Plan 2024-2030 focusing on agriculture and a World Bank grant for the Connectivity and Agricultural Market Infrastructure Project, both aimed at improving market access and climate resilience for agricultural products like citrus fruit.

Production citrus fruit in Sierra Leone

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

World map of production of citrus fruit, 2017-2020

Citrus fruit production in Sierra Leone has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 229.7 thousand tons of citrus fruit, marking a slight gain of 1.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 4.1%, which translates to an annualized rate of 1.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sierra Leone in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports citrus fruit from Sierra Leone

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with volumes varying by 666 times between these years. In 2020, Sierra Leone exported 144.5 tons of citrus fruit, representing a sharp gain of 66,468.2% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sierra Leone in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, exports of citrus fruit from Sierra Leone were almost entirely concentrated in the Netherlands, which accounted for 99.8% of the total.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Sierra Leone in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports were lowest in 2018 and highest in 2020, with a 112-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Sierra Leone exported 195.8 thousand US dollars worth of citrus fruit, which is 11,086.6% more than in 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 0.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sierra Leone in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the structure of exports in value terms was dominated by a single market: the Netherlands, with a share of 99.1% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Sierra Leone in value, 2017-2020

Imports citrus fruit to Sierra Leone

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports were at their lowest in 2019 and peaked in 2018, with a 20-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Sierra Leone imported 18.0 tons of citrus fruit, up by 584.1% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 2.6 tons, while the maximum was in 2018 at 51.9 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 94.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sierra Leone in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the main suppliers of citrus fruit to Sierra Leone in kind were China (33.0% of imports), South Africa (23.3% of imports), and Lebanon (14.8% of imports), together comprising 71.1% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Sierra Leone in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. Imports were lowest in 2019 and highest in 2018, changing by 6.6-fold between these years. In 2020, Sierra Leone's imports of citrus fruit stood at 26.9 thousand US dollars, constituting a steep advance of 392.1% compared to 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 5.5 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2018 at 36.2 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 84.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sierra Leone in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In the period from 2017 to 2020, China (33.6% of imports in value terms), South Africa (19.9% of imports), and France (12.1% of imports) continued to head the list of suppliers of citrus fruit to Sierra Leone, jointly taking 65.6% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Sierra Leone in value, 2017-2020