Maize market in Sierra Leone

Earlier Report Observations

The maize market in Sierra Leone experienced substantial fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Market volume surged by 62% in 2019 to nearly 39 000 tons, marking a peak for the period. This was followed by a sharp contraction over the next two years, with the market declining by 31% in 2020 and a further 15% in 2021, bottoming out at around 23 000 tons.

A gradual recovery began in 2022, with market volume growing by 4.7% to 24 030 tons. This positive trend continued into 2023, with an additional 6.6% increase bringing the total market to 25 608 tons. Domestic production, which mirrored this volatile pattern, remained the primary driver of market size, as import volumes were relatively low throughout the period.

By 2023, the maize market had recovered a portion of the losses sustained after 2019, though it remained below the peak levels observed that year. The overall period was characterized by significant year-to-year volatility in both production and total market consumption.

Production maize in Sierra Leone

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of maize, 2017-2020

World map of production of maize, 2017-2020

Sierra Leone's maize production saw a two-year period of growth before declining. In 2020, the country produced 26 549 tonnes of maize, which represents a 31.4% decrease compared to the previous year. Looking at the entire 2017-2020 period, production actually increased by 18.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.8%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 38 685 tonnes, which also marked the largest annual increase of 68.3%.

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

Exports maize from Sierra Leone

Exports in kind, t

In 2018, Sierra Leone's maize exports to foreign markets totaled 0.0 tonnes, reflecting a sharp 98.6% decline from 2017 levels.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Sierra Leone's maize exports in volume terms showed a strong reliance on the United Kingdom, which accounted for 98.7% of all shipments.

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

Sierra Leone exported $0.1 thousand worth of maize in 2018, representing a substantial 283.0% increase compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States and the United Kingdom were the dominant destinations for Sierra Leone's maize exports in value terms. The United States accounted for 79.3% of total export value, while the United Kingdom represented 20.7%, together making up 100.0% of all export 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 maize to Sierra Leone

Imports in kind, t

The maize import market showed considerable volatility during this period. The market experienced significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2019, with a 3.7-fold difference between the peak and trough. In 2020, Sierra Leone imported 300 tonnes of maize, which was 74.1% higher than the 2019 level of 300 tonnes. The lowest import volume occurred in 2019 at 300 tonnes, while the highest was recorded in 2018 at 1 096 tonnes. The largest annual decrease happened in 2019 with a 72.6% drop, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 with a 239.3% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Argentina dominated Sierra Leone's maize imports in volume terms, accounting for 76.7% of total imports, with numerous smaller trading partners making up the remainder.

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

The value of maize imports showed significant instability throughout the period. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at $413.4 thousand, while the lowest occurred in 2017, creating a 2.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sierra Leone imported $268.8 thousand worth of maize, representing a notable 17.6% increase from the previous year. The largest annual decrease happened in 2019 with a 44.7% drop, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 with a 140.8% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Argentina, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates were the main sources of Sierra Leone's maize imports in value terms. Argentina accounted for 68.2% of import value, the United States represented 9.7%, and the United Arab Emirates contributed 7.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for 85.7% of all maize import value to Sierra Leone during this period.

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

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