FRA ANNOUNCES THIS YEAR’S CROP PURCHASE PRICES FOR FARMERS
The Food Reserve Agency (FRA) has announced the floor prices at which it will buy maize and rice from farmers this year, at a press conference held today.
The agency said it would purchase non-genetically modified Grade A white maize at K6.94 per kilogramme, or K347 per 50kg bag, and paddy rice at K7.50 per kilogramme, or K300 per 40kg bag, from farmers across the country. The prices set a guaranteed floor for producers as the marketing season gets under way.
The FRA said it would open all 1,749 buying depots nationwide on Wednesday, 29 July 2026, giving farmers in every district a point at which to sell their crop. It added that it intends to purchase not less than 500,000 metric tonnes of maize this season, underlining the scale of the programme and its role in supporting food security and stabilising the market.
To ensure farmers are paid on time, the agency said sellers must hold active bank, mobile money or e-wallet accounts, with the account details matching their identification and supplier registration. Payments will be processed through these channels, and mismatched or inactive accounts could delay settlement.