Largest market shown
Cereals: rice, semi-milled or wholly milled, whether or not polished or glazed
$188.2M of latest reported imports and $211.7M of calculated three-year opportunity.
Importer opportunity guide
Sierra Leone import opportunities
where to source next
Explore Sierra Leone's import market by product, supplier concentration, demand growth, and sourcing gaps. Use reported market size and calculated indicators to decide where deeper supplier research may be useful.
Latest imports$2.2B2024 reported value
Import CAGR+10.4%Three-year reported change
GDP$7.0BLatest reported value
GDP per capita$806.7Latest reported value
Trade openness77.2%Reported share of GDP
Sierra Leone import opportunities
What makes this an attractive import market?
Compare market size and growth with supplier concentration. A large market may still need product, quality, tariff, logistics, and buyer validation.
Current import base
$2.2B in imports
Sierra Leone recorded $2.2B in imports in 2024, with a three-year change of +10.4%.
How to use the guide
Compare demand with supply
Start with the highest-value products, then review supplier concentration and market conditions before choosing a sourcing route.
Import market overview
Find products where demand and sourcing options meet
This page separates reported import observations from calculated indicators so market size is not mistaken for a guaranteed sourcing opportunity.
Sierra Leone imports products from suppliers across major trade regions. The current profile reports $2.2B of imports in 2024, while the opportunity view highlights product and supplier combinations where market demand and supply context may justify further research.
Use the opportunity table to compare product market size, demand growth, supplier counts, concentration, and projected imports. High concentration can indicate reliance on a small supplier base; it can also reflect specialized products that require careful validation.
Top import opportunities
Products and supplier context to review
The top 50 screened products are ranked by calculated three-year opportunity. Reported market values and calculated indicators are labeled separately.
| Rank | Product | Market size | Demand growth | Suppliers | Concentration | Top supplier | Projected imports |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HS 100630Cereals: rice, semi-milled or wholly milled, whether or not polished or glazed | $188.2MLatest imports | +8.1% | 12 | 8035 | INDDeclining | $237.6M |
| 2 | HS 271019Product description unavailable | $85.6MLatest imports | +5.4% | 32 | 3928 | ESPDeclining | $100.1M |
| 3 | HS 300490Medicaments: consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.s. in heading no. 3004, for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale | $58.5MLatest imports | +14.5% | 32 | 4671 | INDDeclining | $87.7M |
| 4 | HS 020230Meat: of bovine animals, boneless cuts, frozen | $27.5MLatest imports | +49.7% | 13 | 9139 | PRYSlowing | $53.7M |
| 5 | HS 730890Iron or steel: structures and parts thereof, n.e.s. in heading no. 7308 | $30.1MLatest imports | +23.0% | 19 | 7449 | CHNDeclining | $55.9M |
| 6 | HS 392490Plastics: household articles and hygienic or toilet articles | $32.5MLatest imports | +21.5% | 19 | 6480 | USADeclining | $58.3M |
| 7 | HS 252329Cement: portland, other than white, whether or not artificially coloured | $29.9MLatest imports | +20.5% | 3 | 7379 | EGYGrowing | $52.3M |
| 8 | HS 847420Machines: for crushing or grinding earth, stone, ores or other mineral substances | $20.9MLatest imports | +26.5% | 6 | 9086 | CHNDeclining | $40.9M |
| 9 | HS 100640Cereals: rice, broken | $46.6MLatest imports | +8.6% | 7 | 4371 | BRADeclining | $59.7M |
| 10 | HS 240220Cigarettes: containing tobacco | $29.8MLatest imports | +8.6% | 9 | 9196 | AREDeclining | $38.1M |
| 11 | HS 110100Wheat or meslin flour | $27.8MLatest imports | +9.3% | 7 | 9882 | TURDeclining | $36.4M |
| 12 | HS 870410Vehicles: dumpers, designed for off-highway use, for transport of goods | $26.2MLatest imports | +20.4% | 8 | 6497 | CHNDeclining | $45.6M |
| 13 | HS 392330Plastics: carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles, for the conveyance or packing of goods | $18.6MLatest imports | +22.3% | 17 | 8078 | GHAGrowing | $34.1M |
| 14 | HS 853720Boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases: for electric control or the distribution of electricity, (other than switching apparatus of heading no. 8517), for a voltage exceeding 1000 volts | $16.3MLatest imports | +26.7% | 12 | 7101 | CHNDeclining | $31.9M |
| 15 | HS 200290Vegetable preparations: tomatoes, (other than whole or in pieces), prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid | $19.0MLatest imports | +12.1% | 7 | 9988 | CHNDeclining | $26.7M |
| 16 | HS 640299Footwear: n.e.s. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics | $17.9MLatest imports | +13.8% | 16 | 9759 | CHNDeclining | $26.4M |
| 17 | HS 871120Motorcycles (including mopeds) and cycles: fitted with an auxiliary motor, reciprocating internal combustion piston engine, of cylinder capacity exceeding 50cc but not exceeding 250cc, with or without side-cars: side-cars | $17.1MLatest imports | +18.4% | 10 | 7612 | INDStable | $28.3M |
| 18 | HS 890190Vessels: n.e.s. in heading no. 8901, for the transport of goods and other vessels for the transport of both persons and goods | $16.9MLatest imports | +17.4% | 2 | 8152 | CHNAccelerating | $27.3M |
| 19 | HS 721420Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, containing indentations, ribs, grooves or other deformations produced during the rolling process or twisted after rolling | $25.8MLatest imports | +11.1% | 9 | 4998 | TURDeclining | $35.4M |
| 20 | HS 020714Meat and edible offal: of fowls of the species Gallus domesticus, cuts and offal, frozen | $30.2MLatest imports | +34.3% | 24 | 2183 | USASlowing | $59.1M |
| 21 | HS 854140Electrical apparatus: photosensitive, including photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels, light emitting diodes | $12.6MLatest imports | +20.2% | 22 | 8918 | CHNDeclining | $21.8M |
| 22 | HS 540754Fabrics, woven: containing 85% or more by weight of textured polyester filaments, printed | $10.5MLatest imports | +47.3% | 3 | 9482 | CHNStable | $20.5M |
| 23 | HS 851761Base stations | $10.2MLatest imports | +24.6% | 4 | 9988 | CHNAccelerating | $19.8M |
| 24 | HS 850213Electric generating sets: with compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel or semi-diesel engines), of an output exceeding 375kVA | $28.1MLatest imports | +21.6% | 13 | 2976 | KORDeclining | $50.5M |
| 25 | HS 300420Medicaments: containing antibiotics (other than penicillins, streptomycins or their derivatives), for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, packaged for retail sale | $14.9MLatest imports | +17.6% | 14 | 6619 | INDDeclining | $24.3M |
| 26 | HS 420212Cases and containers: trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases, brief-cases, school satchels and similar containers, with outer surface of plastics or of textile materials | $10.3MLatest imports | +23.0% | 17 | 9796 | CHNDeclining | $19.1M |
| 27 | HS 999999Commodities not specified according to kind | $21.3MLatest imports | +23.0% | 17 | 4225 | USAStable | $39.6M |
| 28 | HS 870324Vehicles: spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity exceeding 3000cc | $23.8MLatest imports | +18.4% | 16 | 3467 | USADeclining | $39.5M |
| 29 | HS 190190Food preparations: of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk products, for uses n.e.s. in heading no. 1901 | $24.3MLatest imports | +9.5% | 19 | 3777 | MYSDeclining | $31.8M |
| 30 | HS 847410Machines: for sorting, screening, separating or washing earth, stone, ores or other mineral substances | $13.5MLatest imports | +16.2% | 8 | 6750 | CHNDeclining | $21.1M |
| 31 | HS 721070Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, painted, varnished or coated with plastics | $9.9MLatest imports | +20.0% | 5 | 9637 | CHNDeclining | $17.0M |
| 32 | HS 850760Electric accumulators: lithium-ion, including separators, whether or not rectangular (including square) | $9.2MLatest imports | +32.6% | 19 | 8004 | CHNStable | $18.1M |
| 33 | HS 854449Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 80 volts, not fitted with connectors | $15.3MLatest imports | +13.7% | 20 | 4928 | CHNDeclining | $22.5M |
| 34 | HS 300220Vaccines: for human medicine | $16.2MLatest imports | +16.4% | 11 | 3622 | BELSlowing | $25.6M |
| 35 | HS 848790Machinery parts: not containing electrical connectors, insulators, coils, contacts or other electrical features, n.e.c. in chapter 84 | $8.8MLatest imports | +17.1% | 11 | 9822 | CHNDeclining | $14.2M |
| 36 | HS 842833Elevators and conveyors: continuous-action, belt type, for goods or materials | $7.3MLatest imports | +29.7% | 6 | 9585 | CHNGrowing | $14.3M |
| 37 | HS 070310Vegetables, alliaceous: onions and shallots, fresh or chilled | $10.6MLatest imports | +8.3% | 10 | 9212 | NLDDeclining | $13.4M |
| 38 | HS 851762Communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations): machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and routing apparatus | $12.0MLatest imports | +9.8% | 26 | 6403 | CHNStable | $15.9M |
| 39 | HS 842952Mechanical shovels, excavators and shovel loaders: with a 360 degree revolving super structure | $17.3MLatest imports | +14.4% | 16 | 4034 | CHNDeclining | $25.9M |
| 40 | HS 961900Sanitary towels (pads) and tampons, napkins and napkin liners for babies and similar articles, of any material | $7.7MLatest imports | +22.3% | 21 | 7239 | CHNSlowing | $14.1M |
| 41 | HS 851770Telephone sets and other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, via a wired or wireless network: parts | $8.4MLatest imports | +12.8% | 22 | 9144 | CHNSlowing | $12.0M |
| 42 | HS 690490Ceramic flooring blocks, supports or filler tiles and the like (excluding building bricks) | $7.4MLatest imports | +15.7% | 3 | 9970 | CHNGrowing | $11.5M |
| 43 | HS 160413Fish preparations: sardines, sardinella and brisling or sprats, prepared or preserved, whole or in pieces (but not minced) | $11.6MLatest imports | +10.4% | 7 | 5536 | MARDeclining | $15.6M |
| 44 | HS 630420Furnishing articles: excluding those of heading no. 9404, bed nets, specified in Subheading Note 1 to this Chapter | $8.5MLatest imports | +63.5% | 3 | 5411 | CHNDeclining | $16.5M |
| 45 | HS 870322Vehicles: with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc | $8.8MLatest imports | +13.4% | 18 | 6755 | USADeclining | $12.9M |
| 46 | HS 940540Lamps and light fittings: electric, n.e.s. in heading no. 9405 | $8.2MLatest imports | +18.7% | 19 | 6098 | CHNStable | $13.8M |
| 47 | HS 392410Plastics: tableware and kitchenware | $7.4MLatest imports | +15.5% | 18 | 7625 | CHNGrowing | $11.4M |
| 48 | HS 490700Unused postage, revenue or similar stamps of current or new issue in the country in which they have, or will have, a recognised face value: stamp-impressed paper: cheque forms: banknotes, stock, share or bond certificates and the like of similar title | $5.7MLatest imports | +25.1% | 5 | 7440 | MLTDeclining | $11.2M |
| 49 | HS 190110Food preparations: of flour, meal, starch, malt extract or milk products, for infant use, put up for retail sale | $9.7MLatest imports | +10.7% | 10 | 5828 | BRADeclining | $13.2M |
| 50 | HS 843149Machinery: parts of machines handling earth, minerals or ores and n.e.c. in heading no. 8431 | $12.6MLatest imports | +18.2% | 24 | 2701 | GBRDeclining | $20.9M |
Showing the five highest-ranked products on mobile. View the complete import opportunity data.
Product sectors
Which sectors carry the most demand?
HS2 sectors group the screened products into broader families for an easier first comparison.
| Sector | Products | Market size | Opportunity | Average growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CerealsHS2 10 | 2 | $234.8M | $249.1M | +8.3% |
| Electrical equipmentHS2 85 | 8 | $112.2M | $142.2M | +20.2% |
| MachineryHS2 84 | 6 | $80.5M | $105.9M | +20.4% |
| Pharmaceutical productsHS2 30 | 3 | $89.6M | $91.5M | +16.2% |
| VehiclesHS2 87 | 4 | $75.8M | $88.7M | +17.7% |
| PlasticsHS2 39 | 3 | $58.5M | $86.6M | +19.8% |
| Meat and edible meat offalHS2 02 | 2 | $57.7M | $74.7M | +42.0% |
| HS2 sector 00HS2 00 | 1 | $85.6M | $61.4M | +5.4% |
| Articles of iron or steelHS2 73 | 1 | $30.1M | $48.1M | +23.0% |
| Salt, sulphur, earths and stoneHS2 25 | 1 | $29.9M | $44.5M | +20.5% |
| Iron and steelHS2 72 | 2 | $35.7M | $40.7M | +15.6% |
| TobaccoHS2 24 | 1 | $29.8M | $36.6M | +8.6% |
Supply gaps
Where supplier concentration deserves attention
The concentration index helps identify products where reported imports rely more heavily on a smaller supplier base. It is a screening signal, not a recommendation by itself.
| Product | Market size | Suppliers | Concentration | Top supplier | Share gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HS 200290Vegetable preparations: tomatoes, (other than whole or in pieces), prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or acetic acid | $19.0M | 7 | 9988 | CHN | 99.9% |
| HS 851761Base stations | $10.2M | 4 | 9988 | CHN | 99.9% |
| HS 690490Ceramic flooring blocks, supports or filler tiles and the like (excluding building bricks) | $7.4M | 3 | 9970 | CHN | 99.8% |
| HS 110100Wheat or meslin flour | $27.8M | 7 | 9882 | TUR | 99.4% |
| HS 848790Machinery parts: not containing electrical connectors, insulators, coils, contacts or other electrical features, n.e.c. in chapter 84 | $8.8M | 11 | 9822 | CHN | 99.1% |
| HS 420212Cases and containers: trunks, suit-cases, vanity-cases, executive-cases, brief-cases, school satchels and similar containers, with outer surface of plastics or of textile materials | $10.3M | 17 | 9796 | CHN | 99.0% |
| HS 640299Footwear: n.e.s. in heading no. 6402, (other than just covering the ankle), with outer soles and uppers of rubber or plastics | $17.9M | 16 | 9759 | CHN | 98.8% |
| HS 721070Iron or non-alloy steel: flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, painted, varnished or coated with plastics | $9.9M | 5 | 9637 | CHN | 98.2% |
Supplier landscape
Which supplier markets appear most often?
These supplier names come from the leading peer signal in the screened opportunity rows and should be validated at product level.
CHN
China
25 screened products
$489.9MCalculated opportunity across these rowsIND
India
4 screened products
$313.5MCalculated opportunity across these rowsUSA
USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands
5 screened products
$115.9MCalculated opportunity across these rowsESP
Spain
1 screened products
$61.4MCalculated opportunity across these rowsTUR
Turkey
2 screened products
$60.1MCalculated opportunity across these rowsPRY
Paraguay
1 screened products
$51.3MCalculated opportunity across these rowsBRA
Brazil
2 screened products
$46.8MCalculated opportunity across these rowsEGY
Egypt
1 screened products
$44.5MCalculated opportunity across these rowsFrequently asked questions
Using the Sierra Leone import opportunity index
Definitions and practical guidance for interpreting market size, growth, suppliers, and concentration.
What are the import opportunities?
They are product and supplier combinations in Sierra Leone's screened import market with substantial reported demand and calculated opportunity indicators. They are research priorities, not guaranteed savings or supply contracts.
What does supplier concentration mean?
The concentration index indicates how much reported imports rely on a smaller supplier base. A high value can suggest supply dependence, but it can also reflect specialized products or limited reporting.
How should sourcing teams use this page?
Start with products that fit your specification and volume needs, then validate suppliers, tariffs, standards, logistics, pricing, and continuity for Sierra Leone.
Data source
OECD trade statistics with CEPII context
OECD (2025), Balanced international merchandise trade statistics (BIMTS) - HS2017-6D, OECD Data Explorer (accessed on 2026-08-30). OECD BIMTS is the primary trade series for this view. Supporting bilateral trade context uses CEPII BACI bilateral trade flows (202601) under Etalab 2.0 Open Licence. Yugalinks presents derived views of reported observations and calculated indicators. Data terms: OECD Terms & Conditions.