Coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions market in Sierra Leone

Earlier Report Observations

Production of coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil in Sierra Leone started at 14 413 t in 2018 and surged by over 28% to 18 485 t in 2019. This growth coincided with the emergence of new high-quality, pesticide-free chocolate products made from Sierra Leonean cocoa, reflecting broader innovation and sustainability trends in agribusiness that likely stimulated agricultural processing. However, output fell by 15% to 15 655 t in 2020.

The market recovered from 2021 onward, aided by policy support. The launch of the Sierra Leone National Cocoa, Coffee, and Cashew Value Chain Policies in 2021 provided a regulatory framework to develop tree crop industries, helping production rise to 16 187 t. Continued EU funding and government emphasis on food security under initiatives like Feed Salone further boosted output to 18 366 t in 2022. In 2023, the implementation of the European Union Deforestation Regulation introduced strict traceability requirements for agricultural exports, which increased compliance costs and contributed to a 3% dip in production to 17 741 t.

Production coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions in Sierra Leone

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Sierra Leone ranked as the 28th largest global producer of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions.

Top producers of coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions, 2017-2020

World map of production of coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions, 2017-2020

Sierra Leone's production of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2020, output reached 15 655 tonnes, marking a 15.3% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 11%, averaging an annualized rate of 3.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 18 485 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 28.3%.

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

Exports coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions from Sierra Leone

Exports in kind, t

Exports of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions from Sierra Leone fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 7.0 tonnes, reflecting a sharp year-on-year decline of 96.7%. From 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 99%, with an annualized decrease of 78.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland, Cameroon, and Gambia were the top three markets, collectively absorbing 85.7% of Sierra Leone's total exports in kind of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions.

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 market exhibited significant volatility during this period. Exports peaked in 2017 and hit their lowest point in 2020, with a 55-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sierra Leone exported 10.1 thousand US dollars worth of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions, a steep 85.8% drop from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 92.9%, while the biggest increase was in 2019 at 81.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Switzerland, Cameroon, and Australia were the main destinations for Sierra Leone's exports in value terms of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions. Switzerland accounted for 35.1% of export value, Cameroon for 31.3%, and Australia for 14.5%, together making up 80.9% 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 coconut, palm kernel or babassu oil and fractions to Sierra Leone

Imports in kind, t

Imports of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions into Sierra Leone declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 0.4 tonnes, down 45.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 85.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -47.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and Hong Kong were the key partners for imports in kind, each contributing 24.0% and together accounting for 72.0% of total flows of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions.

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

In 2020, Sierra Leone's imports of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions amounted to 0.8 thousand US dollars, a 44.0% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 61.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -27.2%. The largest decline was in 2018 at 57.7%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2019 at 62.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Arab Emirates, India, and Hong Kong were the three principal markets for imports in value terms, together representing 86.6% of total imports of coconut, palm kernel, or babassu oil and fractions into Sierra Leone.

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

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