FRA claims over 1.2 million tonnes of maize bought by August 31

The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has reportedly purchased 1, 225, 215 metric tons of non-genetically modified Grade A white maize from farmers countrywide during the on going crop marketing season.

The purchased quantity was equivalent to 24,504,300 x 50Kg bags of maize as of August 31, 2025, according to FRA Acting Chief Executive Officer Justin Chuunka.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Thursday, Chuunka revealed that the Agency operated a total of 1,586 satellite depots countrywide from which the quantity was purchased.

He assured that the Agency would continue to operate all satellite depots countrywide and ensure that all surplus maize from farmers is purchased for sufficient replenishment of National Strategic Food Reserves.

“In this regard, all satellite depots are still open and shall remain so until ALL designated crops to be presented for sale are purchased before the onset of rains,” Chuunka said.

He expressed gratitude to farmers for their hard work that resulted in the bumper harvest and for their willingness to sell their crops to Government through FRA depots.

Chuunka stated that the positive and overwhelming response from farmers had resulted in the Agency being able to purchase the stated quantity.

“The purchased quantity has been achieved mainly due to competitive crop prices offered by the Agency, good agricultural policies implemented by government, and a favourable weather pattern experienced in the previous farming season,” he said.

Chuunka urged farmers to continue delivering their crops to the nearest FRA depots and play their role in making Zambia food secure.

He encouraged farmers to reserve substantial quantities of their harvests of various crops for future use at household level and only sell the excess preferably to government through FRA depots as national food security begins at household level.

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