FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.3 - December 2002 p.53
| Area: | 71 740 sq km |
| Climate: | Mostly tropical wet-dry; extreme south tropical wet; rainy season: March-October |
| Population: | 5.15 million (2002 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$140 (2001) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; coastal country |
| Logistics: | Roads inadequate |
| Major foodcrops: | Rice, roots and tubers |
| Marketing year: | January/December; Lean season: July-August |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 57 percent |
Rainfall was generally below average this season. However, harvest prospects are generally favourable reflecting an improved security situation, increased plantings by returning refugees and farmers previously displaced, as well as comparatively improved conditions for the distribution of agricultural inputs. Cereal production in 2001 is estimated at 348 000 tonnes.
In an effort to continue helping the country, a UN Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal was launched on 26 November 2001, including an agricultural component with five projects proposed by FAO to facilitate recovery of food production and reduce dependence on food aid.
The renewed conflict in Liberia has caused at least 40 000 Liberians to cross into the country since the beginning of the year, while some 39 000 Sierra Leoneans who had been living in camps in Liberia and 15 000 who had lived outside camps returned home as fighting intensified.
Sierra Leone's cereal import requirement for 2002 is estimated at 225 000 tonnes including 49 000 tonnes of food aid.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | - | 316 | 40 | 356 |
| Previous five years average imports | 70 | 127 | 23 | 220 |
| 2002 Domestic Availability | - | 186 | 37 | 224 |
| 2001 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | 311 | 37 | 348 |
| 2001 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | 186 | 37 | 224 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | - | - |
| 2002 Utilization | 60 | 336 | 52 | 449 |
| Food use | 60 | 280 | 39 | 378 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | - | - |
| Non-food use | - | 47 | 9 | 55 |
| Exports or re-exports | - | - | - | - |
| Possible stock build up | - | 10 | 5 | 15 |
| 2002 Import Requirement | 60 | 150 | 15 | 225 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 27 | 149 | - | 176 |
| Food aid needs | 33 | 2 | 15 | 49 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 54 | 2 | 13 | 68 |
| of which: delivered | 33 | 2 | 12 | 47 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 12 | 54 | 8 | 73 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 2001 Production as % of average: | 98 | |||
| 2002 Import requirement as % of average: | 102 |