Share of food products in total merchandise exports in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: Share of food products in total merchandise exports was 45.6% in 2018. ◆ Volatile
Share of food products in total merchandise exports in Sierra Leone, 1963–2018
Source: UN Comtrade, WITS, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of merchandise exports.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of food products in total merchandise exports in Sierra Leone is 45.6%, measured in 2018.
The figure is down 37.8% on the previous year and up 1,028.5% over five years.
Over the whole period, share of food products in total merchandise exports in Sierra Leone peaked at 91.6% in 2002 and was at its lowest, 4.0%, in 2014.
That places Sierra Leone 45th out of 196 countries with data for 2018, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of food products in total merchandise exports in Sierra Leone, year by year
| Year | % of merchandise exports | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1963 | 15.3% | — |
| 1964 | 15.4% | +0.7% |
| 1972 | 18.4% | +19.1% |
| 1973 | 21.4% | +16.5% |
| 1974 | 20.7% | -3.2% |
| 1975 | 24.8% | +19.4% |
| 1976 | 22.4% | -9.4% |
| 1983 | 32.7% | +46.0% |
| 1984 | 31.4% | -4.2% |
| 2000 | 18.9% | -39.8% |
| 2002 | 91.6% | +385.4% |
| 2014 | 4.0% | -95.6% |
| 2015 | 87.8% | +2071.3% |
| 2016 | 78.0% | -11.1% |
| 2017 | 73.3% | -6.0% |
| 2018 | 45.6% | -37.8% |
Sierra Leone compared with similar countries
- Sierra Leone's 45.6% is above the median for low income countries, which is 34.9%, 1.3× the median. (22 countries reporting)
- Sierra Leone's 45.6% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 27.6%, 1.7× the median. (46 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Share of food products in total merchandise exports in Sierra Leone changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | +2071.3% | 4.0% | 87.8% |
| 2002 | +385.4% | 18.9% | 91.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 15.4% | 15.3% | 15.4% | 2 |
| 1970s | 21.5% | 18.4% | 24.8% | 5 |
| 1980s | 32.1% | 31.4% | 32.7% | 2 |
| 2000s | 55.3% | 18.9% | 91.6% | 2 |
| 2010s | 57.8% | 4.0% | 87.8% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Sierra Leone
More economy & growth data for Sierra Leone
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 2.55 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 4.53 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps -33,272 BoP, current US$ (2010)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit -0 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2010)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita -0.0053 BoP, current US$ per person (2010)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 121.78 million BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual -16.53 % change on previous year (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0175 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 14.09 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate -12.59 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of food products in total merchandise exports in Sierra Leone?
- Share of food products in total merchandise exports in Sierra Leone was 45.6% in 2018, according to UN Comtrade, WITS, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of food products in total merchandise exports recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The highest recorded value was 91.6% in 2002.
- What is the lowest share of food products in total merchandise exports recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.0% in 2014.
- How does Sierra Leone rank for share of food products in total merchandise exports?
- Sierra Leone ranks 45th out of 196 countries with data for 2018.
- Where does this Sierra Leone data come from?
- The figures come from UN Comtrade, WITS, and World Bank staff estimates (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of food products in total merchandise exports. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Value of food exports divided by the total value of merchandise exports, expressed as a percentage.