Zambia’s Food Reserve Agency has announced a historic maize bumper harvest of 5.1 million metric tonnes from the current farming season. While farmers are eagerly awaiting the agency’s purchase of the commodity, the country’s food reserve cannot proceed because of excessively high moisture content, primarily caused by unusually low seasonal temperatures across the nation.

The agency is also struggling with the flow price, as Zimbabwe and South Africa are selling maize at prices lower than last season. The agency has announced it will buy only 500,000 metric tonnes; the remaining 4.6 million may lack a market, as the traditional importer, DR Congo, has been captured by South Africa and Zimbabwe.

On moisture content, Food Reserve Agency board chairman Suresh Desai explained that rushing to buy the commodity in its current state risks the growth of aflatoxins, which are a health hazard to humans and animals. He said the highest moisture content is still around 18%, while the lowest is 13.1%, both well above the maximum 12.5% required.

Desai further disclosed that measures to resume the marketing season are in place, including the establishment of over 1,700 satellite depots. About 7,000 buying agents and security guards have been employed. Satellite depot management committees, comprising government workers, traditional leaders and members of the clergy, have been set up countrywide to oversee operations.

Last year the country recorded a bumper harvest of about 3.5 million metric tonnes, up from the usual average of about 1.8 million. In 2023, Zambia recorded a severe drought, a situation that led to the loss of its maize market in DR Congo to South Africa and Zimbabwe.