Semi-milled or wholly milled rice market in Sierra Leone

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Sierra Leone expanded from 465 000 t to 796 000 t. This growth was fueled by the army's contract with the Ministry of Agriculture to scale up military farming in Moyamba and Tonkolili districts, aiming to boost domestic supply. In 2020, a project distributing subsidized inputs like certified seeds and fertilizers via e-wallets to 67 000 smallholder farmers directly enhanced rice cultivation and climate resilience, contributing to higher production.

The market reached a peak of 1.09 million t in 2021, with local production surging to 775 000 t. This increase aligned with the government's reintroduction of a 5% duty on rice imports, which may have encouraged domestic output. However, by 2023, the market volume contracted to 999 000 t as high inflation of 47.7% drove up food prices, likely dampening consumption. During this period, the launch of the national Feed Salone program significantly increased the agricultural budget and fostered public-private partnerships, leading to over 600 000 hectares under rice cultivation.

In 2024, rice imports rose to 398 900 t, highlighting ongoing reliance on foreign supply. Continued efforts under the Feed Salone strategy included partial mechanization, infrastructure development, and a $37 million agro-industrial cluster project supported by the African Development Bank, all aimed at reducing import dependency and transforming domestic production.

Production semi-milled or wholly milled rice in Sierra Leone

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, 2017-2020

World map of production of semi-milled or wholly milled rice, 2017-2020

Sierra Leone's production of semi-milled or wholly milled rice has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 540.6 thousand tons, marking a 13.0% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 19.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.1%.

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

Exports semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Sierra Leone

Exports in kind, K t

In 2018, Sierra Leone's exports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice fell to zero thousand tons, a 50.3% drop compared to 2017.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom was the overwhelmingly dominant buyer of semi-milled or wholly milled rice from Sierra Leone, accounting for 100.0% of total exports in volume.

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

In 2018, Sierra Leone's cross-border shipments of semi-milled or wholly milled rice totaled zero thousand US dollars, representing a 95.7% reduction from 2017.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the export market was highly concentrated, with the United Kingdom alone responsible for 100.0% of total exports in 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 semi-milled or wholly milled rice to Sierra Leone

Imports in kind, K t

The import market showed volatility during the observed period. Volumes dropped to a minimum of 0.8 thousand tons in 2018, with the largest decline of 49.3% recorded that year. In 2019, imports surged by 23 871.2%, the largest increase, and peaked in 2020 at 255.7 thousand tons, a dramatic 38.4% rise year-over-year. Overall, there was a 332-fold shift from the low in 2018 to the high in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China accounted for 74.0% of Sierra Leone's total imports in volume, while the remaining flows were distributed among a broad group of smaller countries.

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

Sierra Leone's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 77 187 thousand US dollars, a substantial gain of 19.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 7 607.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 325.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, China and India clearly dominated Sierra Leone's imports of semi-milled or wholly milled rice in value terms, jointly accounting for 90.3% of total flows, with other countries holding much smaller shares.

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

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