Sierra Leone is experiencing a noticeable decline in food prices, with significant drops in the cost of rice, cassava, and gari across the country. This is according to the latest Market Price Bulletin released by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), which attributes the positive trend to the impact of the government’s flagship Feed Salone initiative.
The independent report confirms that the Feed Salone agenda, spearheaded by President Julius Maada Bio, is effectively reducing the financial burden on households while improving purchasing power nationwide.
According to the bulletin Imported rice prices have decreased by 18% nationally, with even steeper declines recorded in Bonthe (–33%), Western Area (–27%), Moyamba and Kono (–25%), Local rice prices also saw a modest average reduction of 3%. Cassava and gari, both key staples in Sierra Leonean diets, dropped by 16% and 12% respectively compared to the same period last year.
In an additional boost for consumers, the WFP highlighted that the monthly minimum wage can now purchase 41 kilograms of imported rice, up from 33 kilograms last year a clear indicator of improved purchasing power.
Economic analysts have described the findings as a “direct win” for Sierra Leonean households, citing the effectiveness of the Feed Salone initiative in bolstering food security and making essential commodities more affordable.
