The Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) has extended the 2025 national cotton marketing season to August 15. The move is aimed at giving farmers more time to deliver their cotton to official buying points.
In a notice issued on Monday, AMA confirmed that the extension applies to selected regions where logistical challenges have disrupted collection.
“The Agricultural Marketing Authority (AMA) wishes to inform stakeholders, particularly cotton farmers and merchants, that cotton buying has been extended up to the 15th of August 2025,” the Authority stated.
Earlier this season, AMA had designated 697 cotton buying points across Zimbabwe. These included 221 permanent and 476 mobile sites. As of now, 103 common buying points remain operational.
“Farmers are encouraged to expedite their deliveries within the extended timeframe. AMA remains committed to supporting the agricultural community to ensure a smooth closure to the marketing season,” the Authority added.
This extension is expected to benefit farmers in remote areas where access to buying points has been limited by poor road conditions and delays in transport.
The 2025 season is poised for a strong finish. AMA projects total sales will reach 61,000 metric tonnes, a significant jump from 13,600 metric tonnes recorded in the previous season.
To protect farmers and ensure transparency, AMA has implemented strict guidelines:
- Cotton bales will not be moved from buying points unless full payment has been made to the farmer.
- Merchants must clear all outstanding payments from previous seasons before they are allowed to purchase new seed cotton.
- Grade differential payments must also be settled in full before new transactions proceed.
The cotton marketing season usually runs from May through July. However, unpredictable weather and transport delays in recent years have made extensions more common.
By extending the season, AMA aims to support national cotton production and prevent loss of income due to uncollected harvests. The Authority has called on all stakeholders to adhere to regulations and ensure that farmers are paid on time.
