Freetown, 8th September 2026- Sierra Leone’s consumers are facing sharply contrasting price movements in essential commodities, with the latest market data showing a notable rise in the cost of locally produced mineral water alongside a drop in imported rice prices.
According to figures tracking changes in the average prices of selected food and non‑alcoholic items, the price of a 1.5‑litre bottle of locally produced mineral water jumped by 15%, while sachet water rose by 12%. This surge highlights growing pressure on households who rely on packaged water for daily consumption, especially in areas where safe drinking water remains a critical need.
In contrast, rice, Sierra Leone’s staple food, recorded significant declines across several categories. Imported medium‑grained rice fell by 8%, local long‑grained rice dropped by 7%, and imported long‑grained rice declined by 2%. Even imported broken rice, which is often consumed by lower‑income households, showed only a modest increase of 2%.
Other notable shifts: Butter biscuits plunged by −20%, while smoked fish and fresh vegetables such as lettuce and beans saw increases ranging from 5% to 12%.
The contrasting trends underscore the complexity of Sierra Leone’s inflationary environment. While falling rice prices may ease pressure on household food budgets, the sharp rise in water costs threatens to offset those gains, particularly for urban families who spend heavily on packaged water.
The decline in rice prices could be linked to improved import flows and seasonal supply factors, while the rise in water prices may reflect higher production and distribution costs, including fuel and packaging materials.
