Sierra Leone Major Rice Importers
Major rice importing companies operating in Sierra Leone - importing rice from Asia to West Africa
Sierra Leone imports importers buyers importing rice
4Major Importers
FreetownMain Port
India/ThailandMain Suppliers
RiceStaple Food
Sierra Leone Major Rice Importers - Overview
This page presents a directory of the major rice importers operating in Sierra Leone, a West African country where rice is the staple food and domestic production is insufficient to meet national demand. Sierra Leone imports a significant portion of its rice consumption from major rice-producing countries in Asia, including India, Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, and China. The four major rice importers profiled on this page - Commodities Trading Corporation (CTC Freetown), Saad Group, Ameropa Phoenix, and Djoulde Sow - handle the bulk of rice imports into Sierra Leone and play a critical role in ensuring food security for the country's population of approximately 8 million people.
Rice is the most important food staple in Sierra Leone, consumed daily by virtually the entire population. Despite domestic rice production in the fertile regions of the country, Sierra Leone's rice consumption significantly exceeds local production, creating a structural import dependency. The country imports an estimated 300,000-500,000 metric tons of rice annually, with import volumes fluctuating based on domestic harvest performance, global rice prices, and government food security policies. The major rice importers operate from Freetown, the capital and main port city, where the Queen Elizabeth II Quay handles the bulk of maritime rice imports.
The Sierra Leone rice import market is dominated by a small number of large-scale importers who have the financial capacity, logistics infrastructure, and international supply chain networks to handle large-volume vessel shipments of rice (typically 25,000-50,000 metric tons per shipment). These importers source rice from major Asian exporters, arrange maritime shipping to Freetown port, handle customs clearance, and distribute the rice through wholesale and retail networks across Sierra Leone. Some importers also work with international organizations and the Sierra Leone government on humanitarian food aid programs.
Key Importers - Spotlight
The following cards highlight the three largest rice importers in Sierra Leone and their market positioning:
Commodities Trading Corporation (CTC Freetown) - Largest Rice Importer
Commodities Trading Corporation (CTC) is one of the largest rice importers in Sierra Leone, headquartered in Freetown. CTC imports bulk rice from major rice-producing countries including India, Thailand, Vietnam, and Pakistan, and distributes it throughout Sierra Leone via a network of wholesalers and retailers. The company plays a critical role in ensuring food security in Sierra Leone, where rice is the staple food. CTC Freetown operates from the Queen Elizabeth II Quay, the main port of Freetown, and maintains storage facilities for large-volume rice imports.
Saad Group - Diversified Conglomerate with Rice Operations
Saad Group is a major Sierra Leonean conglomerate with significant operations in rice import and distribution. The company is part of a diversified business group operating across multiple West African countries. Saad Group imports rice from Asian suppliers (India, Thailand, Vietnam, China) and distributes it through its extensive network covering both urban centers (Freetown, Bo, Kenema, Makeni) and rural areas of Sierra Leone. The company leverages its group's logistics infrastructure and financial capacity to handle large-volume rice imports.
Ameropa Phoenix - International Commodity Trading
Ameropa Phoenix is a rice import and trading company operating in Sierra Leone, affiliated with or modeled after the Ameropa Group, a major Swiss-based international agricultural commodity trader. The company imports rice from global suppliers and distributes it in the Sierra Leone market. Ameropa Phoenix benefits from international commodity trading expertise, global supply chain networks, and financial capacity to handle large-volume shipments. The company focuses on bulk rice imports (typically 25,000-50,000 metric ton vessel shipments).
All Major Rice Importers - Company Profiles
The following cards provide detailed profiles of the four major rice importers operating in Sierra Leone. Each card includes the company name, location, and a short description of the company's activities, market position, and rice trading operations.
Commodities Trading Corporation - CTC Freetown
Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone
Commodity: Rice (bulk and bagged)
Suppliers: India, Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, China
Commodities Trading Corporation (CTC) is one of the largest rice importers in Sierra Leone, headquartered in Freetown, the capital and main port city. CTC imports bulk rice from major rice-producing countries including India, Thailand, Vietnam, and Pakistan, and distributes it throughout Sierra Leone via a network of wholesalers and retailers. The company plays a critical role in ensuring food security in Sierra Leone, where rice is the staple food and domestic production is insufficient to meet national demand. CTC Freetown operates from the Queen Elizabeth II Quay, the main port of Freetown, and maintains storage facilities for large-volume rice imports. The company serves both the commercial market and humanitarian aid channels, working with international organizations and the Sierra Leone government to stabilize rice supply and prices.
Saad Group
Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone
Commodity: Rice (bulk and bagged)
Suppliers: India, Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, China
Saad Group is a major Sierra Leonean conglomerate with significant operations in rice import and distribution. The company is part of a diversified business group operating across multiple West African countries, with rice trading being one of its core business segments. Saad Group imports rice from Asian suppliers (India, Thailand, Vietnam, China) and distributes it through its extensive network covering both urban centers (Freetown, Bo, Kenema, Makeni) and rural areas of Sierra Leone. The company leverages its group's logistics infrastructure and financial capacity to handle large-volume rice imports, often exceeding several thousand metric tons per shipment. Saad Group also engages in other commodity trading, construction, and services, making it a key economic player in Sierra Leone's private sector.
Ameropa Phoenix
Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone (with international operations)
Commodity: Rice (bulk and bagged)
Suppliers: India, Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, China
Ameropa Phoenix is a rice import and trading company operating in Sierra Leone, affiliated with or modeled after the Ameropa Group, a major Swiss-based international agricultural commodity trader. The company imports rice from global suppliers and distributes it in the Sierra Leone market. Ameropa Phoenix benefits from international commodity trading expertise, global supply chain networks, and financial capacity to handle large-volume shipments. The company focuses on bulk rice imports (typically 25,000-50,000 metric ton vessel shipments) and works with both commercial buyers and institutional clients. Ameropa Phoenix's operations contribute to Sierra Leone's food security by ensuring a stable supply of imported rice to supplement domestic production.
Djoulde Sow
Location: Sierra Leone (regional operations)
Commodity: Rice (bulk and bagged)
Suppliers: India, Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, China
Djoulde Sow is a regional rice importer and trader operating in Sierra Leone and neighboring West African countries. The company specializes in importing rice from Asian suppliers (primarily India, Thailand, and Pakistan) and distributing it through regional trade networks. Djoulde Sow focuses on both wholesale and retail distribution, serving local markets in Sierra Leone and cross-border trade with Guinea and Liberia. The company's name suggests West African regional trading roots, and it operates as a mid-sized importer handling regular shipments of bagged rice (typically 25kg and 50kg bags). Djoulde Sow plays an important role in supplying rice to smaller markets and rural areas that may not be served by the larger importers, contributing to broad-based food availability across Sierra Leone.
Imported Rice Product Categories
Sierra Leone's major rice importers source various types of rice from international suppliers. The following cards summarize the main rice categories imported into Sierra Leone:
Parboiled Rice
HS CodeHS 1006.30
DescriptionMost consumed rice type in Sierra Leone - parboiled long grain rice
White Rice
HS CodeHS 1006.30
DescriptionRegular milled white rice - both broken and whole grain
Broken Rice
HS CodeHS 1006.40
DescriptionLower-cost broken rice used for budget-conscious consumers
Basmati Rice
HS CodeHS 1006.30
DescriptionPremium aromatic rice from India and Pakistan - higher-end market
Jasmine Rice
HS CodeHS 1006.30
DescriptionAromatic rice from Thailand - premium segment
Husked Rice
HS CodeHS 1006.20
DescriptionBrown/whole grain rice - health-conscious market segment
Main Supplier Countries
Sierra Leone's rice importers source rice from major rice-producing countries in Asia. The following are the main supplier countries:
India - Largest supplier - parboiled and white rice, competitive pricing
Thailand - Premium jasmine rice and parboiled rice
Vietnam - White rice and broken rice - competitive prices
Pakistan - Basmati rice and parboiled rice - quality focus
China - Rice exports to West Africa - growing supplier
United States - Premium long grain rice - niche market
About Sierra Leone Rice Market
Sierra Leone imports an estimated 300,000-500,000 metric tons of rice annually to supplement domestic production. Rice is the staple food consumed daily by virtually the entire population of approximately 8 million. The main port of entry is the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Freetown. Major importers handle large-volume vessel shipments (25,000-50,000 metric tons per shipment) and distribute rice through wholesale and retail networks covering both urban centers (Freetown, Bo, Kenema, Makeni) and rural areas.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who are the major rice importers in Sierra Leone?
The four major rice importers operating in Sierra Leone are: (1) Commodities Trading Corporation (CTC Freetown) - one of the largest rice importers headquartered in Freetown; (2) Saad Group - a diversified Sierra Leonean conglomerate with significant rice import operations; (3) Ameropa Phoenix - a rice import and trading company with international commodity trading links; and (4) Djoulde Sow - a regional rice importer and trader serving Sierra Leone and neighboring West African countries. These four companies handle the bulk of rice imports into Sierra Leone.
Where do Sierra Leone rice importers source their rice from?
Sierra Leone rice importers source rice primarily from major rice-producing countries in Asia. The main supplier countries are India (largest supplier - parboiled and white rice with competitive pricing), Thailand (premium jasmine rice and parboiled rice), Vietnam (white rice and broken rice at competitive prices), Pakistan (basmati rice and parboiled rice with quality focus), China (growing supplier of rice to West Africa), and the United States (premium long grain rice for the niche market). India is the dominant supplier due to its competitive prices and large export capacity.
How much rice does Sierra Leone import annually?
Sierra Leone imports an estimated 300,000-500,000 metric tons of rice annually to supplement domestic production. The exact import volume fluctuates based on domestic harvest performance, global rice prices, government food security policies, and humanitarian aid programs. Rice is the staple food in Sierra Leone, consumed daily by virtually the entire population of approximately 8 million people. Despite domestic rice production in fertile regions, Sierra Leone's consumption significantly exceeds local production, creating a structural import dependency.
What is the main port of entry for rice imports in Sierra Leone?
The main port of entry for rice imports in Sierra Leone is the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Freetown, the capital city. This port handles the bulk of maritime rice imports, including large-volume vessel shipments of 25,000-50,000 metric tons. Major rice importers such as Commodities Trading Corporation (CTC Freetown), Saad Group, Ameropa Phoenix, and Djoulde Sow operate from Freetown and use the Queen Elizabeth II Quay for receiving rice shipments. The port's facilities include berths for large vessels, storage warehouses, and customs clearance infrastructure.
What types of rice are imported into Sierra Leone?
Sierra Leone imports various types of rice to meet diverse consumer preferences. The main imported rice categories are: (1) Parboiled Rice (HS 1006.30) - the most consumed rice type in Sierra Leone; (2) White Rice (HS 1006.30) - regular milled white rice, both broken and whole grain; (3) Broken Rice (HS 1006.40) - lower-cost rice for budget-conscious consumers; (4) Basmati Rice (HS 1006.30) - premium aromatic rice from India and Pakistan for the higher-end market; (5) Jasmine Rice (HS 1006.30) - aromatic rice from Thailand for the premium segment; and (6) Husked/Brown Rice (HS 1006.20) - whole grain rice for the health-conscious market.
How can I contact Sierra Leone rice importers for B2B business?
To contact Sierra Leone's major rice importers for B2B business, international rice suppliers can reach out to the four major companies profiled on this page: Commodities Trading Corporation (CTC Freetown), Saad Group, Ameropa Phoenix, and Djoulde Sow. These companies are based in Freetown and can be contacted through business directories, the Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce, industry associations, or B2B platforms. For detailed contact information including phone numbers, email addresses, and office locations, a TurkExim paid membership is recommended. International suppliers should prepare specifications of their rice offerings (type, grade, packaging, FOB/CIF prices, MOQ) before contacting importers.
Summary
This page presents a directory of the four major rice importers operating in Sierra Leone: Commodities Trading Corporation (CTC Freetown), Saad Group, Ameropa Phoenix, and Djoulde Sow. These companies handle the bulk of rice imports into Sierra Leone, sourcing rice primarily from India, Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan, and China. Sierra Leone imports an estimated 300,000-500,000 metric tons of rice annually to supplement domestic production, as rice is the staple food consumed daily by virtually the entire population of approximately 8 million. The main port of entry is the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Freetown. This directory is a valuable resource for international rice suppliers, commodity traders, and anyone involved in the West African rice trade.
Annual Imports
300-500K tons
Sierra Leone Major Rice Importers Directory
4 major importers - CTC Freetown, Saad Group, Ameropa Phoenix, Djoulde Sow. Sourcing rice from India, Thailand, Vietnam, Pakistan. Detailed contact information available for TurkExim paid members.
Tags: Sierra Leone, imports, importers, buyers, importing, rice, CTC Freetown, Saad Group, Ameropa Phoenix, Djoulde Sow, Freetown port, Queen Elizabeth II Quay, West Africa rice trade, parboiled rice, India rice exports, Thailand rice, Vietnam rice, food security Sierra Leone.
Sources:
1- Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce records
2- West Africa rice trade databases
3- Company websites and business directories
4- Sierra Leone Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security
5- International rice trade statistics (FAO, USDA)
Information compiled from public business sources.
