The Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Trade and Industry, has instructed for a temporary freeze in the exportation of rice out of the country.

This instruction was given through a letter issued out on Tuesday, the 8th November, 2022.

According to the letter, this decision was taken by the Ministry of Trade and Industry due to the practice of export/smuggling of rice out of the country.

The Ministry notes that such act is criminal and diabolical, being that rice is the staple food in the country and the country is spending a lot on its importation to prevent its people from starvation.

For this reason, the ministry has instructed for the freeze on rice exportation and immediate halt of the smuggling of rice out of the country.

See full letter below: