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The Produce Monitoring Board (PMB) has announced a significant increase in regulatory compliance among produce marketers following a high-level stakeholder engagement held on January 22, 2026.
The agency expressed satisfaction with the growing commitment of exporters to meet statutory duties and licensing requirements, which are critical for the sector’s international competitiveness.
During the meeting, officials emphasized two primary legal obligations for all exporters operating in Sierra Leone:
2.5% Export Levy: A statutory fee calculated based on the Freight on Board (FOB) value of the produce.
Mandatory Export License: A requirement for all businesses exporting coffee, cocoa, palm kernel products, and ginger to sub-regional and international markets.
The PMB provided detailed technical guidance on produce valuation and computation methodologies to ensure marketers can navigate these requirements without operational delays.
The Executive Chairman of the PMB, Raymond Katta, stated that these engagements are designed to promote “order, fairness, and predictability” within the export value chain. By enforcing these frameworks, the government aims to strengthen Sierra Leone’s reputation at national borders and in regional markets.
A major focus of the current regulatory push is aligning local operations with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). This international standard requires strict sustainability and traceability, ensuring that produce exported to Europe does not originate from recently deforested land.
“Full compliance with the legal framework positions Sierra Leone to meet emerging international standards, including sustainability and traceability requirements,” Katta noted.
