Agricultural Marketing Act, 2026 (Act No.8 of 2026).

This Act, comprising 37 sections, establishes the Zambia Agricultural Marketing Council - governed by a Board composed of part-time members appointed by the Minister, including representatives from the ministries responsible for agriculture, finance, and trade and industry, the Attorney-General, associations representing commercial and small-scale farmers, processors and grain traders, and one private sector expert with relevant knowledge and experience - and assigns it the following main functions (i) regulate persons engaged in agricultural marketing and other market players; (ii) promote and facilitate an efficient, competitive, private sector-driven agricultural marketing system, including the development of marketing infrastructure, market linkages, market access, innovation, and the use of modern marketing technologies; (iii) oversee the development and implementation of a coordinated agricultural marketing system and promote a well-functioning market to reduce price volatility; (iv) determine the size of the National Strategic Food Reserve under the Food Reserve Act, 2026, and monitor stock levels of agricultural products; (v) conduct research and collect, analyse, and disseminate data and information on agricultural products, agricultural marketing, certified warehousing, and related sectoral activities; (vi) collaborate with the ministry responsible for trade, regulatory agencies, designated institutions, and market players to develop programmes, facilitate consultations, and strengthen the agricultural marketing sector; (vii) promote private sector participation and facilitate capacity building for registered persons engaged in agricultural marketing; and (viii) advise the Minister and the minister responsible for trade on agricultural marketing, marketing infrastructure, and intervention measures relating to declared agricultural products. The Board provides strategic direction to the Council by formulating its policies, programmes and strategies, approving its budgets, financial statements, work plans and activity reports, monitoring and evaluating its performance, and promoting effective corporate governance. In determining the size of the National Strategic Food Reserve, the Council must take into account food requirements during lean periods, human, industrial and livestock needs, resource availability, importation timelines, and the impacts of climate change.
Part III establishes the Agricultural Market Observatory Unit within the Council to collect, store, analyse and disseminate data and information on agricultural production, pricing, consumption, trade and other market indicators at the domestic, regional and international levels. The Unit collaborates with regulatory agencies, research institutions and the private sector, and supports the Council in developing data management systems and requiring stakeholders to submit reports on agricultural products and sectoral activities. Part IV establishes a mandatory registration system for persons engaged in agricultural marketing and market players, unless exempted by the Minister, and sets out the procedures for the issuance, renewal, transfer, suspension, and cancellation of registration certificates, empowering the Council to take action in cases of non-compliance, fraud, breaches of conditions, or criminal offences.
Additionally, the Act (i) empowers the Minister to declare agricultural products subject to statutory intervention measures aimed at improving agricultural markets by promoting the participation of small-scale farmers, women and youth, safeguarding fair competition, strengthening market linkages and infrastructure, supporting climate-resilient practices, enhancing market information systems, balancing supply and demand, facilitating stakeholder communication, and contributing to food security and international trade objectives. Each measure must specify its duration, scope, and purpose; (ii) authorises the Minister, in consultation with the relevant trade authorities, to issue import and export regulations for declared agricultural products to address food safety risks, comply with international trade obligations, respond to emergencies, or ensure national food security during shortages. Such regulations must define their duration, review mechanisms, justification, and applicable criteria; (iii) establishes an inspection framework through inspectors appointed by the Council, granting them powers to conduct inspections, carry out searches, access records, verify certificates, investigate breaches, and compliance report; (iv) requires registered agricultural market participants to maintain traceability systems for declared products and empowers the Council to undertake research and development on modern information and communication technologies to enhance agricultural marketing.
The attached Schedule concerns (i) the administration of the Council and (ii) financial provisions.