Market research

Maize flour and cereals market in Sierra Leone

Release date: Mar 30, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The maize flour and cereals market in Sierra Leone showed considerable movement between 2018 and 2023. Market volume more than doubled from 2018 to reach a high of 24 670 т in 2019, but this expansion was followed by a steep decline over the next two years, bottoming out at 14 703 т in 2021.

From this low point, the market began a gradual recovery, with volume increasing to 15 204 т in 2022 and further to 16 205 т in 2023. The market's value in 2023 reached 16 467 тыс. $, reflecting a more pronounced rebound that likely involved shifts in pricing or the composition of goods sold.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2023
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2023
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2023
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Sierra Leone
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Sierra Leone in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.1.2. Annual dynamics of production in Sierra Leone in value, 2018-2023, $ US
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2023
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023, t
  2. 5.2.2. Dynamics of production structure by macroregions in kind, 2018-2023
  3. 5.2.3. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2023, t
  4. 5.2.4. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2023
  5. 5.2.5. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2023
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sierra Leone in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Sierra Leone by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sierra Leone in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Sierra Leone by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Sierra Leone, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Sierra Leone by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sierra Leone in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Sierra Leone by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sierra Leone in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Sierra Leone by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Sierra Leone, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Sierra Leone by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sierra Leone in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Sierra Leone by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sierra Leone in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Sierra Leone by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Sierra Leone, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Sierra Leone by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sierra Leone in kind, 2018-2024, t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Sierra Leone by countries, 2018-2024, t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sierra Leone in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Sierra Leone by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Sierra Leone, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Sierra Leone by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production maize flour and cereals in Sierra Leone

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of maize flour and cereals, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Sierra Leone's production of maize flour and cereals saw a two-year advance before declining. In 2019, production reached its peak at 24,411 tonnes, but then fell to 16,950 tonnes in 2020, marking a 30.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, overall production grew by 19.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.0%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, when production surged by 59.7%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	7.5%	59.7%	(30.6%)	6.0%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports maize flour and cereals from Sierra Leone

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 38-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sierra Leone's maize flour and cereals exports amounted to 87 tonnes, representing a modest 6.7% gain from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 4.4%, while the most substantial increase occurred in 2018, soaring by 3,618.9%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3 618.9%	(4.4%)	6.7%	236.0%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Guinea played a dominant role in Sierra Leone's exports of maize flour and cereals in kind, consistently accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and their highest in 2020, with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 217 times. In 2020, Sierra Leone's volume of maize flour and cereals exports totalled 68.1 thousand US dollars, marking a moderate advance of 4.6% relative to the prior year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.1%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018, jumping by 20,620.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	20 620.3%	(0.1%)	4.6%	500.5%

Source: SHEV.io

In the 2017-2020 period, the geographical pattern of exports in value terms reflected a strong dependence on Guinea, which absorbed 100.0% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports maize flour and cereals to Sierra Leone

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Imports peaked in 2017 and reached their lowest point in 2019, with a 3.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sierra Leone imported 634 tonnes of maize flour and cereals, which is 86.1% higher than the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 341 tonnes, and the largest decline occurred that same year, falling by 64.3%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(9.3%)	(64.3%)	86.1%	(15.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Pakistan, and India accounted for the largest share of imports in kind of maize flour and cereals to Sierra Leone. Italy represented 50.6% of imports, Pakistan 12.1%, and India 10.3%, together comprising 73.0% of total flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Sierra Leone's volume of maize flour and cereals imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Sierra Leone imported approximately 188.8 thousand US dollars of maize flour and cereals, down by 10.2% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 70.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 33.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(12.0%)	(62.8%)	(10.2%)	(33.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

In the 2017-2020 period, three main markets—Italy, Asia not elsewhere specified, and India—together absorbed 75.0% of total imports in value terms of maize flour and cereals to Sierra Leone.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io