Zambia’s state grain buying entity, the Food Reserve Agency (FRA), is selling 100 000 tons of maize from its strategic reserves to create storage space for new crops. The FRA is expected to buy 500 000 tons this marketing season.

“This is white maize designated for export at various depots throughout the country,” said Martha Nalubamba, legal counsel for the FRA.

According to Nalubamba, the sale must also place grain across the country as part of the national strategic reserves.

She said eligible buyers include local and international millers, food processing companies and grain traders.

Zambia is expected to harvest 3.6 million tons of maize this year, but the FRA will only buy 500 000 tons during the 2017/’18 crop marketing season. Storage space will be a major challenge for producers, as a result of maize which was accumulated during a year-long moratorium on grain exports.

According to the Zambia National Farmers’ Union, most farmers don’t have storage facilities and rely on quick transportation of their maize to buyers.

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