THE Food Reserve Agency (FRA) will soon announce the maize floor price for the 2026 crop marketing season once moisture levels drop to the required standard, Government has announced.
Ministry of Information and Media Permanent Secretary Thabo Kawana says the delay in announcing the floor price is a technical measure aimed at safeguarding national food security and protecting farmer investments
Speaking during a tour at FRA stand at the International Trade Fair in Ndola, Copperbelt Province, Kawana acknowledged public and farmer concerns regarding the timing of the announcement but urged for patience as the crop dries.
Kawana explained that the FRA buys maize specifically for the national strategic reserve, which strictly requires a moisture content of 12.5 percent to ensure safe, long-term storage and prevent spoilage.
“Purchasing maize at elevated moisture levels would lead to massive post-harvest losses and waste public funds,” Kawana said.
The Permanent Secretary attributed the slow drying rate of the grain to prevailing regional weather patterns and the onset of winter, which has brought colder days and less intense sunshine.
According to recent technical assessments, maize in the Northern region currently stands at 18 percent moisture content due to the late exit of rains while in Eastern Province, where the rains said good bye earlier, the moisture content is at 15 percent.
Kawana reassured farmers that the grain’s moisture content is steadily declining every day and the FRA is closely monitoring the situation on the ground.
He added that the agency will officially announce the floor price as soon as the grain reaches safe, marketable conditions
“The temperature of the moisture is coming down and very soon we will announce the price,” said Kawana.