(a) For the purposes of this Code section, the term "agricultural commodity" means horticultural, poultry, and farm products and livestock and livestock products.

(b) Each agricultural commodity sold by any person other than a producer to any other person who purchases not for direct consumption but for the purpose of acquiring raw products for use or for sale in the process of preparing, finishing, or manufacturing the agricultural commodity for the ultimate retail consumer trade is exempted from all provisions of this article including payment of the tax applicable to the sale, storage, use, transfer, or any other utilization or handling of the commodity, except when the commodity is actually sold as a marketable or finished product to the ultimate consumer.