FRA Raises 2026 Maize Buying Price

The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) will this year purchase Maize at K347 per 50-kilogramme bag, representing an increase from last year’s buying price of K340 per 50-kilogramme bag.

FRA Board Chairperson Suresh Desai announced the 2026 maize purchase price during a media briefing in Lusaka today.

Mr. Desai also announced that the agency will buy paddy rice at K300 per 40-kilogramme bag.

He said the prices were determined following consultations with key stakeholders and took into account Farmers’ production costs, prevailing market conditions, national food security requirements and the need to keep mealie meal affordable.

Mr. Desai said Zambia’s maize production has increased to a record 5.1 million metric tonnes in 2026, up from 3.6 million metric tonnes recorded in 2025, while carry-over stocks stood at more than 1.4 million metric tonnes.

FRA announced plans to purchase a minimum of 500,000 metric tonnes of maize and 10,000 metric tonnes of paddy rice during the 2026 Crop Marketing Season, with additional purchases dependent on market conditions and available storage capacity.

Farmers selling to FRA have been urged to have active bank, mobile money or e-wallet accounts matching their identification and supplier details for timely payments.

The Agency will open all the 1,749 buying depots across the country on Wednesday July 29, 2026.

By Esther Munanga.