FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.3 - December 2002 p.39
| Area: | 97 750 sq km |
| Climate: | Southern half tropical wet, northern half tropical wet-dry; rainy season: March-November |
| Population: | 3.0 million (2002 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: n.a. |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country |
| Logistics: | Ports and roads adequate |
| Major foodcrops: | Rice, roots and tubers, oils |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: July-August |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 48 percent |
Following generally below-average rainfall through late October, harvest prospects are uncertain.
As a result of the persistent armed clashes, some 184 000 internally displaced persons from the north, northwest, and central regions are currently living in camps in other parts of the country. WFP, which has expressed concern about the continuing increase in the number of IDPs, continues to provide food assistance to them, in addition to more than 22 000 Sierra Leonean refugees still in the country. While access has improved for those living in areas under Government control, the situation remains uncertain for those in contested areas where insecurity and violence continue to prevent provision of humanitarian assistance.
Recent reports indicate that 40 000 Liberians have fled to Sierra Leone, 117 000 to Guinea and some 75 000 to Côte d'Ivoire.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | - | 115 | - | 115 |
| Previous five years average imports | 61 | 101 | 17 | 179 |
| 2002 Domestic Availability | - | 94 | - | 94 |
| 2001 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | 145 | - | 145 |
| 2001 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | 94 | - | 94 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | - | - |
| 2002 Utilization | 55 | 239 | 10 | 304 |
| Food use | 53 | 218 | 10 | 281 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | 2 | 21 | - | 23 |
| Exports or re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | - | - |
| 2002 Import Requirement | 55 | 145 | 10 | 210 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 40 | 140 | - | 180 |
| Food aid needs | 15 | 5 | 10 | 30 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 22 | - | 6 | 28 |
| of which: delivered | 20 | - | 5 | 25 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 18 | 72 | 3 | 93 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 2001 Production as % of average: | 126 | |||
| 2002 Import requirement as % of average: | 117 |