New Federal Registration Rules Target Unregistered Agricultural Traders

The Federal Office for Cooperative Affairs issued a directive on 3 September requiring all agricultural traders to be members of a recognized cooperative by 30 November. The measure is presented as a step toward greater market transparency and fiscal accountability.

Under the new rule, traders who continue to operate outside a cooperative framework will be barred from accessing the Federal Exchange, and will face fines of up to ₣5 000 per violation. The policy targets informal sales that have grown during the pandemic, according to the Office’s own estimates.

The explainer below breaks down what the rule means for smallholders, how the registration process works, and what options remain for those who cannot meet the deadline.