FRA extends crop marketing season
By Sharon Siame
The Food Reserve Agency -FRA- has extended the crop marketing season by 30 days.
FRA Executive Director MWANSA CHAMATETE says this is as a result of market dynamics experienced this year caused by the El Nino induced drought.
Mr. CHAMATETE says this implies that the crop marketing season will close on November 30, 2024 instead of October 31, as per standard practice.
He says the decision has been arrived at following careful consideration of the prevailing situation on the local and regional markets.
In a statement released to ZNBC News, Mr. CHAMATETE said the extension has been made to ensure that more farmers are accorded time to deliver their maize to the nearest FRA buying point.
He said FRA depots in provinces that did not experience drought will remain open up to November 30, 2024.
Mr. CHAMATETE has since urged farmers, grain traders and other maize suppliers that still have excess maize and wish to sell the stock to deliver it to the nearest FRA buying point.
He said the price remains the same at K330 per 50 kilogramme bag and 6600 per metric tonne.
