Milled rice and broken rice market in Sierra Leone

Earlier Report Observations

The milled rice market in Sierra Leone expanded from 802,600 to 974,100 metric tons between 2018 and 2020. This growth was initiated by the creation of the National Fertilizer Regulatory Agency (NaFRA) in late 2017, which regulated fertilizer quality and availability, directly supporting rice yields. Simultaneously, the launch of the $75 million Feed Salone program provided targeted investment to boost rice production and processing capacity.

Market volume jumped sharply to 1.17 million metric tons in 2021. A 4.3% depreciation of the leone that year made imported rice more expensive, shifting consumer demand toward local rice and encouraging domestic farmers to increase output. In 2022, the government reintroduced a 5% duty on rice imports to curb foreign supply and passed new land laws empowering local communities, while the introduction of 30 new high-yield seed varieties aimed to strengthen long-term production. These measures contributed to a modest market adjustment to 1.13 million metric tons in 2022.

The market volume settled at 1.05 million metric tons in 2023. The Feed Salone program continued, driving a 9.5% expansion of the area under rice cultivation and deploying new storage and processing infrastructure. A consequent sharp reduction in rice imports reflected the market's structural shift toward greater domestic self-sufficiency.

Production milled rice and broken rice in Sierra Leone

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of milled rice and broken rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of milled rice and broken rice, 2017-2020

Sierra Leone's production of milled rice and broken rice has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 540.7 K t, marking a significant 13.0% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 19.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 6.1%.

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

Exports milled rice and broken rice from Sierra Leone

Exports in kind, K t

Sierra Leone's exports of milled rice and broken rice dropped sharply in 2020, with no shipments recorded (0.0 K t). This represents a dramatic 96.9% decline compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 100%, with a compound annual growth rate of -92.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Gambia and the United Kingdom were the sole destinations for Sierra Leone's milled rice and broken rice exports, accounting for 100.0% of total shipments. This highlights a highly concentrated export market.

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, M $ US

In 2020, Sierra Leone's exports of milled rice and broken rice in value terms amounted to 0.0 M $ US, a steep 99.7% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value declined by 99.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -88.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, Gambia and the United Kingdom dominated as the primary buyers of milled rice and broken rice from Sierra Leone, together making up 99.9% 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 milled rice and broken rice to Sierra Leone

Imports in kind, K t

Sierra Leone's imports of milled rice and broken rice rebounded in 2020 after two years of decline. Imports reached 433.4 K t, up 32.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 span, imports grew by 3.1%, averaging a 1.0% annual increase. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 328.1 K t, with the largest drop occurring in 2018 at 19.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Brazil, and India remained the key suppliers of milled rice and broken rice to Sierra Leone. China accounted for 30.7% of imports in volume, Brazil for 19.4%, and India for 14.6%, collectively representing 64.6% of total imports.

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, M $ US

Sierra Leone's import value for milled rice and broken rice saw a recovery in 2020 following a two-year downturn. Imports totaled approximately 133.8 M $ US, a sharp 25.7% rise from 2019. However, from 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 30.5%, with an average annual decline of 11.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 106.5 M $ US, which also saw the largest drop of 30.2%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, China, Brazil, and Pakistan led as the top suppliers of milled rice and broken rice to Sierra Leone in value terms. China held a 27.0% share, Brazil 17.7%, and Pakistan 16.7%, together making up 61.4% 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