Kola nuts production in Sierra Leone
In 2024 Sierra Leone produced 4,790 t of kola nuts, the 5th largest in the world (1.51% of the world total). Over ten years it fell by 40%. The record was 8,651 t in 2018. Area harvested: 19,417 ha, yield 0.2 t/ha.
- Production, 2024
- 4,790 t
- World rank
- 5 of 6
- 10-year change
- −40%
- Record
- 8,651 t
- 2018
Kola nuts in Sierra Leone, 1961–2024 (tonnes)
Sierra Leone compared with the world, 2024
- Share of world total
- 1.5%
- 2.6% in 2014
- Yield, t/ha
- 0.2
- world 0.6 (−57%)
- kg per person
- 0.55
- world 0.04
- 10-year change
- −40%
- world +4.0%
Position in the world ranking
Map of world production of kola nuts
Share of the world total; Sierra Leone is outlined. Small island states are not drawn at this scale.
By year
| Year | Tonnes | Change | Area harvested, ha | Yield, t/ha |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4,790 | −30% | 19,417 | 0.25 |
| 2023 | 6,870 | −4.5% | 24,586 | 0.28 |
| 2022 | 7,197 | −4.2% | 25,604 | 0.28 |
| 2021 | 7,514 | −4.9% | 26,571 | 0.28 |
| 2020 | 7,902 | −5.5% | 27,757 | 0.28 |
| 2019 | 8,362 | −3.3% | 29,638 | 0.28 |
| 2018 | 8,651 | +2.4% | 29,193 | 0.30 |
| 2017 | 8,451 | +5.8% | 28,919 | 0.29 |
| 2016 | 7,985 | −3.7% | 28,263 | 0.28 |
| 2015 | 8,292 | +3.4% | 27,839 | 0.30 |
| 2014 | 8,016 | +4.8% | 27,055 | 0.30 |
| 2013 | 7,647 | +2.4% | 26,002 | 0.29 |
| 2012 | 7,469 | −1.0% | 25,476 | 0.29 |
| 2011 | 7,545 | +4.3% | 25,592 | 0.29 |
| 2010 | 7,231 | +3.3% | 24,661 | 0.29 |
| 2009 | 7,000 | +2.9% | 24,000 | 0.29 |
| 2008 | 6,800 | +1.5% | 23,500 | 0.29 |
| 2007 | 6,700 | +3.1% | 23,000 | 0.29 |
| 2006 | 6,500 | +1.6% | 23,000 | 0.28 |
| 2005 | 6,400 | +3.2% | 22,000 | 0.29 |
| 2004 | 6,200 | +3.3% | 21,000 | 0.30 |
| 2003 | 6,000 | +3.4% | 21,000 | 0.29 |
| 2002 | 5,800 | +5.5% | 20,000 | 0.29 |
| 2001 | 5,500 | +10% | 19,000 | 0.29 |
| 2000 | 5,000 | +5.9% | 18,000 | 0.28 |
| 1999 | 4,723 | +6.0% | 17,498 | 0.27 |
| 1998 | 4,456 | +1.7% | 16,592 | 0.27 |
| 1997 | 4,383 | +8.7% | 16,287 | 0.27 |
| 1996 | 4,031 | −2.4% | 15,069 | 0.27 |
| 1995 | 4,129 | +4.7% | 15,240 | 0.27 |
| 1994 | 3,943 | −1.4% | 15,000 | 0.26 |
| 1993 | 4,000 | +167% | 15,000 | 0.27 |
| 1992 | 1,500 | −59% | 8,000 | 0.19 |
| 1991 | 3,700 | 0.0% | 15,000 | 0.25 |
| 1990 | 3,700 | +2.8% | 15,000 | 0.25 |
| 1989 | 3,600 | 0.0% | 15,000 | 0.24 |
| 1988 | 3,600 | −12% | 15,000 | 0.24 |
| 1987 | 4,100 | −11% | 15,000 | 0.27 |
| 1986 | 4,600 | −16% | 15,000 | 0.31 |
| 1985 | 5,500 | +1.9% | 15,000 | 0.37 |
| 1984 | 5,400 | −21% | — | — |
| 1983 | 6,800 | +13% | — | — |
| 1982 | 6,000 | 0.0% | — | — |
| 1981 | 6,000 | 0.0% | — | — |
| 1980 | 6,000 | 0.0% | — | — |
| 1979 | 6,000 | 0.0% | — | — |
| 1978 | 6,000 | 0.0% | — | — |
| 1977 | 6,000 | 0.0% | — | — |
| 1976 | 6,000 | +20% | — | — |
| 1975 | 5,000 | 0.0% | — | — |
| 1974 | 5,000 | 0.0% | — | — |
| 1973 | 5,000 | 0.0% | — | — |
| 1972 | 5,000 | 0.0% | — | — |
| 1971 | 5,000 | 0.0% | — | — |
| 1970 | 5,000 | 0.0% | — | — |
| 1969 | 5,000 | 0.0% | — | — |
| 1968 | 5,000 | 0.0% | — | — |
| 1967 | 5,000 | 0.0% | — | — |
| 1966 | 5,000 | 0.0% | — | — |
| 1965 | 5,000 | 0.0% | — | — |
| 1964 | 5,000 | 0.0% | — | — |
| 1963 | 5,000 | 0.0% | — | — |
| 1962 | 5,000 | 0.0% | — | — |
| 1961 | 5,000 | — | — | — |
Trade, 2024
- Exports
- 20 t USD 32,000
- Exporter rank
- 9 of 23
FAOSTAT detailed trade data, release of 23 July 2026; quantities in tonnes, values in current US dollars; exports include re-exports. World exporters and importers
Questions and answers
What is the production of kola nuts in Sierra Leone?
Sierra Leone produced 4,790 t in 2024, 1.5% of the world total, according to FAOSTAT.
Where does Sierra Leone rank in the world for production of kola nuts?
Sierra Leone ranked 5th of 6 countries in 2024. The largest producer was Nigeria with 56.5% of the world total.
How has the production of kola nuts in Sierra Leone changed?
It fell by 40% between 2014 and 2024, compared with +4.0% for the world. The record was 8,651 t in 2018.
What is the yield of kola nuts in Sierra Leone?
0.2 tonnes per hectare in 2024 (4,790 t from 19,417 ha), against a world average of 0.6 t/ha.
Does Sierra Leone export or import kola nuts?
In 2024 Sierra Leone reported exports of 20 t (USD 32,000) and no imports, according to FAOSTAT trade data.
Where does this data come from?
From FAOSTAT, the statistics database of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Shares, ranks and per-person figures are calculated by Husfarm.
Source: FAO. 2025. FAOSTAT: Crops and livestock products. Accessed on 4 November 2026. fao.org/faostat. Licence: CC BY 4.0. Charts, rankings and changes calculated by Husfarm.