Milk and cream market in Sierra Leone

Earlier Report Observations

The production of milk and cream in Sierra Leone grew from 134 thousand tons in 2018 to 162 thousand tons in 2021. This increase coincided with heightened investment interest in agribusiness, marked by the emergence of new ventures focusing on organic and sustainable products in 2020 and engagement with investors for processing facilities. The launch of national value chain policies for key crops in 2021, supported by EU funding, strengthened the agricultural policy framework, likely contributing to improved productivity across the sector.

Output declined to 147 thousand tons in 2022, interrupting the upward trend, but partially recovered to 151 thousand tons in 2023. While EU-funded programs for agriculture and food security continued during this period, the market volume adjusted after the earlier surge.

In 2024, the government secured EU financing for sustainable agriculture under the Nature Nourishes programme, indicating continued institutional support for the agribusiness environment.

Production milk and cream in Sierra Leone

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk and cream, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk and cream, 2017-2020

Sierra Leone's milk and cream production increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 142.5 thousand tons, representing a 4.1% year-over-year growth. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 2.5%, which translates to an average annual increase of 0.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 133.9 thousand tons, marking a decline of 3.7% that year.

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

Exports milk and cream from Sierra Leone

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Sierra Leone's milk and cream exports totaled 38.3 tons, showing a sharp decrease of 84.0% compared to the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Sierra Leone's milk and cream exports by volume were Slovakia (52.5% of exports), Senegal (25.7%), and Angola (13.8%). Together, these three countries accounted for 92.0% of total export flows.

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 $40.5 thousand worth of milk and cream in 2020, a 74.2% drop year-over-year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the key markets for Sierra Leone's milk and cream exports by value were Senegal (43.1% of exports), Slovakia (29.7%), and Angola (20.5%). These three countries combined represented 93.2% of total export value.

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 milk and cream to Sierra Leone

Imports in kind, t

Sierra Leone's milk and cream imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to approximately 438.7 tons, down 11.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 10%, averaging a 3.2% annual growth rate. The peak import volume was recorded in 2018 at 543.2 tons, which represented a significant increase of 36.2% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (48.6% of imports), Belgium (13.9%), and the United Arab Emirates (7.8%) were the leading sources of milk and cream imports to Sierra Leone by volume. Together, they accounted for 70.3% of total import flows.

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

After two years of growth, Sierra Leone's milk and cream imports declined in 2020, reaching $425.9 thousand, a modest decrease of 9.2% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 86.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 23.1%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at $469.3 thousand, reflecting a substantial increase of 47.0% that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the top sources for Sierra Leone's milk and cream imports by value were the Netherlands (47.5% of imports), Belgium (14.3%), and Germany (7.0%). These three countries jointly made up 68.7% of total import value.

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

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