The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has announced a maize buying price of K347 per 50 kilogram bag for the 2026 crop marketing season and K300 per 40-kilogram bag of paddy rice.

Announcing the prices during a media briefing in Lusaka today, FRA Board Chairperson, Suresh Desai said FRA will purchase non-genetically modified (non-GMO) white maize at K6.94 per kilogram, equivalent to K347 per 50 kilogram bag, while paddy rice will be bought at K7.50 per kilogram, translating to K300 per 40 kilogram bag.

Mr Desai also said FRA is set to open 1,749 satellite buying depots across the country on July 29, 2026 and that it further intends to buy at least 500,000 metric tonnes of maize and 10,000 metric tonnes of paddy rice, with the possibility of increasing the quantities depending on prevailing market conditions and available storage capacity.

He explained that the buying prices were arrived at following extensive consultations with farmer organisations, grain traders, consumer associations, financial institutions and other stakeholders, taking into account production costs, prevailing market conditions, national food security requirements and the need to keep mealie-meal affordable.

Mr Desai disclosed that FRA has completed the identification of 1,749 satellite buying points, recruitment of 3,498 Satellite Buying Clerks and an equal number of security guards, as well as the distribution of grain bags, weighing scales, sieves and other marketing requisites to all provinces.

He further said the Agency has introduced Satellite Depot Management Committees to improve coordination at buying points and minimise congestion by scheduling farmers’ deliveries.

 “All payments to farmers will now be made through digital platforms using registered bank accounts or mobile money wallets, with the Agency targeting to process payments within three days of grain delivery,” he added.

Mr Desai urged farmers to ensure that their bank account or mobile money details correspond with the information submitted to the FRA to avoid delays in payment.

He also advised farmers to retain adequate grain for household consumption in view of forecasts of a possible El Niño and to deliver only clean, dry grain with a moisture content of 12.5 percent or below, warning that grain exceeding the recommended moisture level would not be accepted because of the risk of aflatoxin contamination.

Speaking at the same event, FRA Executive Director, Justin Chuunka pointed out that the FRA buying price represents the Agency’s procurement price and should not be mistaken for the national market price.

And National Association for Smallholder Farmers (NASFA), Frank Kayula has welcomed the FRA’s decision for the maize buying price, describing it as a fair and encouraging price that will improve farmers’ incomes.

Prof. Kayula said the price exceeds farmers’ expectations and demonstrates that government had listened to concerns raised by producers during stakeholder consultations.

He has called on government to market Zambia’s maize internationally as non-GMO maize, arguing that the country’s grain commands higher quality and should attract premium prices on regional and international markets.

Prof. Kayula said Zambia remains one of the few countries producing non-GMO maize and should leverage that advantage instead of selling its grain at prices comparable to countries producing genetically modified maize.

Meanwhile, in a statement made available to ZANIS by BuyZed Campaign Ambassador, Evans Ng’oma, Mr Ng’oma has commended the FRA for announcing a cost-reflective price for a 50kg bag of white non-GMO maize.

“This decision by government is aimed at ensuring that our farmers are motivated and that our nation attains the projected 10 million metric tonnes of maize production target,” he added.

Mr Ng’oma has since encouraged all farmers to sell their maize to the FRA adding that the maize buying price is a clear demonstration that the work of farmers is valued.

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