FRA Extends Crop Marketing Season to November 30

Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has extended the crop marketing season by 30 days from 31st October 2024 to 30th November, 2024.

Agency Executive Director, Mwansa Chamatete said in a statement that the decision has been arrived at following a careful consideration of the prevailing situation on the local and regional market.

Mr. Chamatete further stated that the decision extension has also been made to ensure that more farmers are accorded time to deliver their maize to the nearest FRA buying point .

He emphasized that the price remains K330 per 50 kilogram bag and K6, 600 per metric tonne

“Pursuant to Section 22 (3) of the Food Reserve Act No. 6 of 2020, the Food Reserve Agency is required every year to announce its intention of purchasing selected agricultural crops during the marketing season. The Agency is also required every year to commence the crop marketing season on 1st of May and close on 31st of October subject to market dynamics.

“As a result of market dynamics experienced this year caused mainly by the El Niño induced drought, the Agency has extended the crop-marketing season by 30 days.This implies that this year’s crop marketing season will close on 30th November 2024 instead of 31st October as per standard practice,” Mr. Chamatete asserted.

He advised farmers, grain traders and other maize suppliers who still have excess maize and wish to sell the stock to deliver it to the nearest FRA buying point.

“The Agency is informing farmers, grain traders and other maize suppliers that its depots in provinces that did not experience drought shall remain open up to 30th November 2024,” he stated.