Lusaka, Zambia – July 24, 2026 – Zambia’s Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has officially announced the 2026 national maize floor price at K347 per 50-kilogram bag, representing an increase of K7 from last season’s price of K340 per bag. The announcement was made during a press briefing held at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka. (Mwebantu)
The new floor price provides farmers with a guaranteed minimum price for maize sold to the FRA during the 2026 Crop Marketing Season and is expected to influence maize trading across the country.
FRA Raises the Minimum Buying Price
Under the newly announced pricing structure:
- Maize: K347 per 50kg bag
- Rice: K300 per 40kg bag (Mwebantu)
The K347 floor price means farmers who sell directly to FRA should not receive less than this amount for maize that meets the agency’s quality standards.
Strict Quality Requirements Remain in Place
The FRA has emphasized that it will only purchase maize with a moisture content of 12.5% or below.
According to the agency, maintaining the required moisture level is essential to preserve grain quality, reduce post-harvest losses, and protect both consumers and the livestock industry from spoiled grain. (Mwebantu)
Farmers are therefore encouraged to ensure their maize is properly dried before delivering it to FRA depots.
Farmers Promised Payment Within Three Days
One of the major announcements accompanying the new buying price is FRA’s commitment to pay farmers within three days of delivering accepted maize.
The agency says it will use a digital payment system to speed up payments and reduce delays that have affected previous marketing seasons. FRA also stated that it has adequate financial capacity to purchase maize and dismissed speculation suggesting it lacks funds to pay farmers. (Mwebantu)
What the New Price Means for Farmers
The increase in the maize floor price is expected to benefit thousands of small-scale and commercial farmers across Zambia.
The floor price:
- Provides farmers with greater certainty when marketing their harvest.
- Acts as a benchmark for private grain buyers.
- Helps farmers make informed selling decisions.
- Supports rural household incomes during the marketing season.
Private buyers may offer prices above or below the FRA price depending on market conditions, logistics, and grain quality, but the FRA floor price often serves as an important reference point.
Marketing Season Set to Begin
The announcement follows weeks of anticipation among farmers after government indicated that the maize floor price would be released once maize moisture levels were suitable for storage.
With the buying price now confirmed, FRA depots are expected to begin receiving maize from farmers across the country as the 2026 Crop Marketing Season gets underway. (Lusaka Times)
AgriZambia Take
The increase from K340 to K347 per 50kg bag is modest but offers additional income to maize producers at a time when many farmers have been waiting to make marketing decisions.
The success of the 2026 marketing season will depend not only on the announced price but also on how efficiently FRA opens buying depots, handles grain deliveries, and honours its commitment to pay farmers within three days.
AgriZambia will continue monitoring developments throughout the marketing season and provide updates on maize purchases, payments, and other important agricultural news affecting farmers across Zambia.