Milk market in Sierra Leone

Earlier Report Observations

Sierra Leone's milk market volume fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, starting at 149.3 thousand tonnes and ending at 153.4 thousand tonnes. Domestic production grew from 133.9 thousand tonnes to 150.6 thousand tonnes over this period, while imports declined sharply from 15.4 thousand tonnes to 2.8 thousand tonnes. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to nationwide lockdowns and curfews, impacting economic activity, yet milk production continued to expand.

After peaking at 164.7 thousand tonnes in 2021, the market contracted to 149.1 thousand tonnes in 2022 as production fell. A recovery followed in 2023, with market volume reaching 153.4 thousand tonnes. This rebound aligned with Sierra Leone joining the 50x2030 Initiative and launching the Feed Salone Project, which focused on improving agricultural data and investment for livestock and milk production. These initiatives continued into 2024 as key components of the country's agri-food transformation strategy.

Production milk in Sierra Leone

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milk, 2017-2020

World map of production of milk, 2017-2020

Milk production in Sierra Leone increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 142.5 K t of milk, marking a controlled increase of 4.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.5%, which translates to an annualized rate of 0.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 133.9 K t, with the largest decline of 3.7% occurring that same year.

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

Exports milk from Sierra Leone

Exports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports bottomed in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a staggering 240 717-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sierra Leone exported 39 t of milk, representing an abrupt decrease of 84.0% compared to 2019. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 241 t, with the largest increase of 74 889.7% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Slovakia, Senegal, and Angola played the leading roles in Sierra Leone's milk exports in kind. Slovakia accounted for 52.1% of exports, Senegal for 25.5%, and Angola for 13.7%. Together, these three countries represented 91.3% 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

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Exports in value terms reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a variation of 3 410 times between these years. In 2020, Sierra Leone exported 47 K $ US of milk, representing a 73.2% decline compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 175 K $ US, while the largest increase of 12 416.8% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Senegal, Slovakia, and Angola were the main markets for Sierra Leone's milk exports in value terms. Senegal accounted for 38.9% of exports, Slovakia for 26.8%, and Angola for 18.5%. Collectively, these three countries made up 84.2% of total 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 milk to Sierra Leone

Imports in kind, t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Imports in kind reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2018, with a 4.8-fold gap between these years. In 2020, milk shipments to Sierra Leone from abroad totaled 3 178 t, marking a robust decline of 21.0% year-over-year. The maximum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 15 403 t, with the largest decline of 73.9% occurring in 2019 and the largest increase of 0.2% in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Malaysia, and Hong Kong were the principal sources for Sierra Leone's milk imports in kind. The Netherlands accounted for 31.8% of imports, Malaysia for 20.5%, and Hong Kong for 12.0%. Together, these three destinations represented 64.4% 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

Milk deliveries to Sierra Leone declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported a total of 6 461 K $ US of milk, marking a robust fall of 17.1% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 29.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -11.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Malaysia, and New Zealand remained the key partners for Sierra Leone's milk imports in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 39.0% of imports, Malaysia for 15.7%, and New Zealand for 10.7%. Together, these three countries accounted for 65.4% of total import flows.

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

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