FAQ: ABOUT THE PRODUCT
What is yellow maize and what is it used for?
Yellow maize, also called yellow corn, is a cereal grain classified under HS code 1005.90. It is used for livestock and poultry animal feed, human food processing including cornmeal and starch production, and industrial applications including ethanol production. Yellow maize gets its distinctive color from carotenoids including beta-carotene, which also gives it antioxidant properties.
What is the difference between feed-grade and food-grade yellow maize?
Feed-grade yellow maize is dried corn that meets safety and nutrition standards for animal consumption, including livestock, poultry, and aquaculture. It has a minimum purity of 99% and maximum moisture of 14%. Food-grade yellow maize meets stricter human consumption standards, including lower aflatoxin limits, absence of E. coli, and salmonella testing. Food-grade product costs more than feed-grade and requires additional certification.
Is your yellow maize non-GMO?
Yes. We supply non-GMO yellow maize sourced from South African farms. Non-GMO documentation is available upon request and is provided with the shipment. South Africa produces both conventional and non-GMO maize, and we specifically source from farms that grow non-genetically modified varieties for buyers who require this specification.
What is the moisture content of your yellow maize?
Our yellow maize has a maximum moisture content of 14%, which is the internationally accepted standard for safe long-distance shipping and storage. Lower moisture content on request can be arranged at an additional drying cost. High moisture corn above 14% is not suitable for container shipping due to risk of mold and heat damage in transit.
What is the minimum order quantity?
Our minimum order quantity is 24 metric tons, which equates to one standard 20-foot shipping container loaded in 50kg PP bags. Buyers requiring larger volumes of 500 metric tons, 1,000 metric tons, or full vessel loads are welcome to inquire about bulk pricing and logistics arrangements.
FAQ: PRICING AND SHIPPING
What does FOB mean and how does it apply to yellow maize orders?
FOB stands for Free On Board. When yellow maize is sold FOB Durban, the seller covers all costs to load the product onto the vessel at Durban Port in South Africa. From the moment the goods cross the ship’s rail, all freight, insurance, and destination costs are the buyer’s responsibility. FOB pricing is the most common trade term used in bulk agricultural commodity exports from South Africa.
What is CIF pricing for yellow maize exports?
CIF stands for Cost, Insurance, and Freight. A CIF price includes the product cost, export freight from Durban to the buyer’s destination port, and marine cargo insurance. CIF is preferred by buyers who want a single all-inclusive price. We offer CIF pricing to major destination ports including Alexandria (Egypt), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Yokohama (Japan), Busan (South Korea), and Rotterdam (Netherlands).
How long does shipping from South Africa take to major markets?
From Durban port, approximate transit times are as follows: Egypt (Alexandria or Port Said) 10 to 14 days. Saudi Arabia (Jeddah) 12 to 16 days. Japan (Yokohama or Osaka) 18 to 24 days. South Korea (Busan) 18 to 22 days. China (Shanghai or Guangzhou) 16 to 22 days. Spain (Barcelona or Valencia) 18 to 24 days. Netherlands (Rotterdam) 20 to 26 days. These are estimates and actual transit times depend on vessel schedules and shipping line routing.
Do you accept letters of credit (LC) as payment?
Yes. We accept payment by irrevocable Letter of Credit (LC) at sight, issued by a reputable bank. We also work with Telegraphic Transfer (TT) on terms agreed per order. New buyers typically start with a 30% TT deposit with the balance against Bill of Lading documents. Payment terms are discussed and confirmed during the Proforma Invoice stage.
FAQ: QUALITY AND DOCUMENTATION
What quality documents do you provide with each shipment?
Every yellow maize shipment from us includes the following documents: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading, Phytosanitary Certificate issued by the South African Department of Agriculture, Certificate of Origin, Quality Analysis Certificate from a certified laboratory, and a Weight Certificate. Additional documents such as fumigation certificates or non-GMO certificates are provided on request.
What laboratory tests are performed on your yellow maize?
Our yellow maize is tested by certified laboratories for the following parameters before shipment: moisture content, purity percentage, broken kernels, foreign matter, protein content, fat content, starch content, aflatoxin levels (PPM), E. coli presence, Salmonella presence, and mold colony count. Full test results are shared with buyers prior to loading.
Is your yellow maize suitable for Japan’s import regulations?
Yes. Yellow maize exported to Japan must meet Japan’s Food Sanitation Act requirements, including strict aflatoxin limits of 10 PPM maximum and testing for pesticide residues. Our product is tested to meet these standards. Japanese buyers should request our Japan-specific quality certificate when placing an order. We work with inspection companies including SGS for pre-shipment verification if required.
Can your yellow maize be imported into the European Union?
Yes. Yellow maize imported into the EU, including Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands, must meet EU Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 food safety standards. Our non-GMO yellow maize is compliant with EU non-GMO requirements under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003. We provide EU-compatible documentation including certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificates, and laboratory analysis. EU buyers should specify their destination country so we can ensure compliance with country-specific requirements.
FAQ: ORDERING PROCESS
How do I place an order for bulk yellow maize from South Africa?
To place a bulk yellow maize order from South Africa, contact us via email at info@ayellowcornsuppliers.co.za or WhatsApp at +27 83 741 7445. Provide your required quantity in metric tons, the grade needed (feed or food), your destination port, and preferred payment terms. We will respond with a Proforma Invoice within 24 to 48 business hours. No payment is required at inquiry stage.
How quickly can you ship yellow maize after an order is confirmed?
Once a purchase order is confirmed and initial payment is received, we typically load and ship within 14 to 21 business days. This timeframe covers sourcing confirmation, quality inspection, loading, and documentation processing. For orders above 500 metric tons, lead times may be 21 to 35 days depending on vessel availability at Durban port.
Do you supply yellow maize samples before bulk purchase?
Yes. We provide product samples to serious buyers who are ready to proceed to purchase. Sample requests should be made via email with your company name, destination country, and intended order volume. Buyers cover the cost of courier shipping for samples. Samples are provided with a full quality analysis certificate.
FAQ: MARKETS AND AVAILABILITY
Which countries do you export yellow maize to?
We export yellow maize to buyers in Japan, China, South Korea, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Colombia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, and Mozambique. We can ship to any country that allows yellow maize imports from South Africa. Contact us with your country to confirm current availability and compliance requirements.
Why should importers buy yellow maize from South Africa instead of Brazil or the United States?
South Africa is a top-six global yellow maize exporter with a consistent production base in the North West, Free State, and Mpumalanga provinces. For buyers in Egypt, East Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, South African yellow maize offers shorter shipping distances compared to Brazil or Argentina, resulting in lower freight costs and faster delivery. South African maize also carries a strong quality reputation and is fully documented through DALRRD (Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development) phytosanitary systems