Cameroon Yellow Maize exported to your specification
BV Holdings Agro exports Cameroon yellow maize for feed mills and grain millers. We agree moisture, broken grain and aflatoxin limits in each contract.
BV Holdings Agro exports Cameroon yellow maize for feed mills, grain millers and food makers in full container loads. Maize is the country’s main cereal, grown in the West, North-West, Adamawa, North and Centre regions. We buy from producer groups and aggregators, then dry, clean, test and bag each lot for export.
Yellow maize serves two markets, so we grade each lot for its end use. On the feed side, its energy and natural pigments suit poultry and pig rations. On the milling side, it becomes grits, meal, flour and starch.
Aflatoxin is the key risk with maize, and limits differ by market. For this reason, this page explains those limits in detail, along with specs, grades, testing, packing, documents and pricing. We load at Douala or Kribi on FOB, CFR or CIF terms.
Where Cameroon yellow maize is grown
Cameroon yellow maize comes from several farming zones. The West and North-West highlands are major producers, with good rains and rich volcanic soils. Adamawa and the North add large volumes from the savannah, while the Centre also grows maize widely.
Most maize in Cameroon comes from smallholder farms. Families often grow it with beans, groundnuts or soybeans, and many rotate it with legumes to restore soil nitrogen. As a result, maize sits at the heart of both farming and food in the country.
Two seasons in the south, one in the north
In the south, two rainy seasons allow two crops a year. The first harvest comes in about July and August, and the second in about November and December. In the north, by contrast, one main harvest runs from about September to November. Our Cameroon harvest calendar shows how these seasons line up.
Drying and storage after harvest
At harvest, maize often carries too much moisture for safe storage. Therefore, farmers dry the cobs in the sun before shelling. Then aggregators shell, clean and dry the grain further. We store Cameroon yellow maize off the ground in covered warehouses, so moisture stays low until loading.
Fast drying matters, because damp grain invites the moulds that make aflatoxin. So we buy dry grain, check moisture at every stage and move lots to port without delay.
Local demand and export availability
Cameroon eats much of its own maize, and the local feed sector uses large volumes too. Therefore, export volumes depend on the season and local demand. We confirm availability of Cameroon yellow maize with each inquiry, rather than promise fixed tonnage.
Typical specification of Cameroon yellow maize
The values below are typical for feed grade grain. Milling lots, however, often need fewer broken grains and a tighter aflatoxin limit. Maize other than seed falls under HS 1005.90 in the WCO Harmonized System.
| Parameter | Cameroon yellow maize: typical value |
|---|---|
| HS code | 1005.90 |
| Type | Yellow maize, whole grain |
| Moisture | 14% max. |
| Broken grains | 4% max. |
| Foreign matter | 1% max. |
| Damaged grains | 4% max. |
| Test weight | 70 kg/hl min. |
| Protein | 8% to 10% |
| Aflatoxin | 20 ppb max. for feed, or your limit |
| Fumonisin | To your limit; tested on request |
Final specifications are confirmed in each contract and verified before loading.
Test weight shows how dense and well-filled the grain is. Higher test weight usually means more starch and better milling yield. Meanwhile, broken and damaged grains lower value and shorten storage life.
Grades of Cameroon yellow maize and how to choose
We offer two main grades, and each suits a different buyer. So start by telling us what you will make.
- Feed grade: sound whole grain within standard limits, for poultry, pig, cattle and fish feed.
- Milling grade: cleaner grain with fewer broken and damaged kernels, plus a tighter aflatoxin limit, for grits, meal, flour and starch.
Some buyers use US grade terms, such as No. 2 Yellow, as a reference point. In that case, we can match the key limits in the contract, such as moisture, broken grain and damage. However, we describe our lots by their own specs, not by a foreign grade name.
When you compare offers for Cameroon yellow maize, check five points. First, moisture and test weight. Second, broken grains and foreign matter. Third, damaged and insect-hit kernels. Fourth, the aflatoxin limit and test plan. Finally, the crop year and season.
Quality control and testing before loading
We test every lot against the contract before it moves to port. Our process follows five steps: buy in region, dry and store, sample and test, clean and pack, then inspect and load. The full method is on our quality control page.
What we check on each lot
- Moisture: we use a calibrated meter, because grain above 14% can heat and mould.
- Broken grain and foreign matter: we sieve a weighed sample and weigh each fraction.
- Damaged kernels: we sort out mouldy, heat-damaged, sprouted and insect-hit grains.
- Test weight: we weigh a set volume of grain to check density.
- Aflatoxin: we screen each lot, and a lab confirms results against your limit on request.
Common defects explained
- Broken grains: pieces from shelling or handling, which store poorly and attract insects.
- Heat-damaged grains: darkened kernels from damp, warm storage.
- Mouldy grains: visible mould, a warning sign for mycotoxins.
- Insect-hit grains: kernels with weevil holes, which lose weight and value.
Each defect has its own limit in the contract. Therefore, we report every figure separately for Cameroon yellow maize, instead of one total.
Rapid screens and lab tests
Aflatoxin testing often works in two stages. First, a rapid test kit screens samples on site. Then, an accredited lab confirms the result with a method such as HPLC. This two-step approach catches problem lots early and gives you a firm figure for the contract.
Why sampling plans matter
Aflatoxin is not spread evenly through a lot. Instead, it sits in “hot spots” of a few kernels. Therefore, the sampler draws many small amounts from bags across the whole lot. These combine into lab, buyer and reference samples, so the test reflects the full lot of Cameroon yellow maize.
In addition, you can nominate an inspection company such as SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek or Cotecna. The inspector draws samples, sends them to an agreed lab and issues the weight and quality certificate.
Aflatoxin limits for Cameroon yellow maize by market
Every market sets its own aflatoxin limit, and the limit also depends on end use. So the same lot can pass for feed and fail for food. We always write your limit, test method and lab into the contract.
- EU food: Regulation (EU) 2023/915 sets 5 µg/kg aflatoxin B1 and 10 µg/kg total for maize that will be sorted or processed before human use.
- EU feed: feed materials carry a limit of 20 µg/kg aflatoxin B1, while complete feed for dairy animals is limited to 5 µg/kg.
- United States: the FDA uses an action level of 20 ppb total aflatoxins for food and most feed. Higher levels apply to some feed for mature livestock, such as 300 ppb for finishing beef cattle.
- Other markets: many countries follow Codex guidance or their own national standard, so check yours with your importer.
Fumonisin and other mycotoxins
Aflatoxin is not the only mould toxin in maize. Fumonisins, made by Fusarium moulds, also occur in warm growing areas. The EU, for example, sets 4,000 µg/kg fumonisins for most unprocessed maize. So if your market tests for fumonisin, we can add it to the lab plan for Cameroon yellow maize.
Dairy feed needs special care, because cows pass a form of aflatoxin into milk. For this reason, dairy feed limits are much lower than limits for poultry or beef feed. Tell us the species, so we can match the lot to the right limit.
Low limits mean a careful buying plan. For example, a milling buyer of Cameroon yellow maize for EU food use should expect tight selection and a full lab report. Feed buyers, meanwhile, usually work with the feed limits of their own market.
Uses of Cameroon yellow maize in feed and milling
Maize is one of the world’s top three cereals, as the FAO notes. Its uses fall into two broad groups: animal feed and food or industrial milling.
Animal feed
Maize supplies most of the energy in broiler, layer and pig feed. Its yellow pigments also deepen the colour of egg yolks and broiler skin. For this reason, feed mills often pair it with soybean meal as the protein source. Cattle and fish feeds use it too. See more animal feed ingredients.
Milling, food and industry
- Dry millers: turn maize into grits, meal and flour.
- Starch plants: wet-mill maize for starch, glucose syrup and other products.
- Brewers: use maize grits as an adjunct in beer.
- Snack makers: use maize meal for extruded snacks and breakfast cereals.
Milling buyers usually want fewer broken grains than feed buyers do. In addition, food uses carry tighter aflatoxin limits. So tell us your end use, and we will shape the offer for Cameroon yellow maize around it.
Some food markets prefer white maize for flour and porridge. Others, however, prefer yellow grain for its colour and carotenoids. If you are unsure which suits your customers, compare Cameroon yellow maize with our white maize before you decide.
Packaging, loading and container capacity
We ship maize in new 50 kg polypropylene bags, marked for export with a lot number. Liner bags for loose loading are also possible by agreement. Before loading, we check that each container is clean, dry and free of odour.
- 20ft container: about 22 to 25 MT of bagged grain, depending on bag size.
- 40ft container: about 25 to 26 MT, because weight limits apply before space runs out.
- Fumigation: standard before loading, usually with phosphine, with a certificate.
- Protection: kraft paper lining or desiccant on request, to limit condensation at sea.
Storage at destination
Maize keeps well when it stays cool and dry. Once it arrives, store Cameroon yellow maize off the floor and away from walls in a ventilated warehouse. Also watch for insects, such as weevils, and keep moisture at or below 14%. Then the grain stays sound until you mill or mix it.
Export documents and compliance for Cameroon yellow maize
Every shipment travels with a full document set. We prepare the papers with the exact grade, weight and HS code, and release them according to the payment terms in your contract.
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Bill of lading
- Phytosanitary certificate from MINADER plant protection
- Certificate of origin
- Weight and quality certificate from the agreed inspection company
- Fumigation certificate
- Lab reports for aflatoxin, fumonisin or pesticide residues, where agreed
Destination rules also matter. For example, EU importers face checks on aflatoxin and pesticide maximum residue levels (MRLs). Some countries also need an import permit, a GMO test or an extra declaration on the phytosanitary certificate. So please share your import rules early, and we will check each point before loading. Our export process page explains each step.
How pricing works
We do not publish fixed prices, because maize prices move with the market. Instead, we quote Cameroon yellow maize per metric tonne for each container lot, with the Incoterm and port named.
- World market: corn futures in Chicago act as a global reference for traders.
- Local supply: the size of each Cameroon harvest and local food and feed demand.
- Season: prices often ease after harvest and firm up before the next one.
- Grade: milling lots with tight limits cost more to select and test.
- Incoterm and freight: FOB, CFR and CIF each include different costs.
What makes an offer for Cameroon yellow maize competitive? Usually, it is the mix of quality, test results, timing and freight. For example, a well-dried lot with a clean lab report may save you rework later. Our FOB vs CIF guide also explains what each term covers. Payment terms are agreed per contract, for example a letter of credit or documentary collection.
How to order Cameroon yellow maize from BV Holdings Agro
- 1. Inquiry: send the grade, volume, aflatoxin limit, destination port and Incoterm.
- 2. Offer and sample: we reply with a written offer and send a sample for your tests.
- 3. Agreement: we sign a contract that sets the spec, price, Incoterm, payment terms, inspection and shipment window.
- 4. Shipment: we prepare, inspect and load the lot, then release documents per the contract.
The minimum order is one 20ft container, and larger orders can ship over several containers. Before you write, note your end use, species and any lab tests you need. With these details, we can reply faster and offer lots that already fit.
Why buy from BV Holdings Agro
- Part of BV Holdings PLC, with a team based in Yaoundé.
- Feed and milling grades from one origin, so one supplier covers both.
- Pre-loading checks and aflatoxin screening on every lot of Cameroon yellow maize.
- Your aflatoxin limit written into every contract.
- Independent third-party inspection at your request.
Cameroon yellow maize FAQ
Is Cameroon yellow maize suitable for poultry feed?
Yes. Its starch gives energy, and its natural pigments help colour egg yolks and broiler skin. Most poultry rations use maize as the main energy source, paired with a protein meal. We agree aflatoxin and moisture limits in the contract, so the grain fits your feed safety rules before it ships.
Which aflatoxin limit applies to my order?
It depends on your market and end use. For example, the EU sets 20 µg/kg aflatoxin B1 for feed materials but 10 µg/kg total for maize to be processed into food. The US FDA uses 20 ppb for food and most feed. So check your national rule, and we will write it into the contract.
Can you supply milling grade maize?
Yes, by agreement. Milling grade lots need fewer broken and damaged grains and a tighter aflatoxin limit than feed lots. So tell us your limits for each point. We will then check which lots meet them, arrange extra cleaning where needed and send a sample before you sign.
What is the minimum order for Cameroon yellow maize?
The minimum order is one 20ft container, which holds about 22 to 25 MT of bagged grain. Larger orders can ship in several 20ft or 40ft containers. We can also split a contract into staged shipments, so stock arrives in line with your plan. We agree volumes and timing in the contract.
Which HS code applies to yellow maize?
Maize other than seed for sowing falls under HS 1005.90. Most customs offices use this code at six digits, while national tariffs add more digits for duty rates. The code appears on our invoice, certificate of origin and phytosanitary certificate. Please confirm your national tariff line with your customs broker.
When is fresh-crop maize available?
In the south, harvests come in about July to August and November to December. In the north, the main harvest runs from about September to November. Therefore, fresh grain reaches the market at several points in the year. However, supply varies by season, so we confirm availability with each offer.
Can I get a sample before I order?
Yes. After your inquiry, we send a written offer and a sample from the lot on offer. You can test it in your own lab or through a third party. In addition, we keep a reference sample, so both sides can compare the shipment with the approved quality later if needed.
Which Incoterms and ports do you offer?
We quote FOB Douala or Kribi, CFR to your destination port, or CIF to your destination port with minimum cargo insurance. FOB suits buyers who hold their own freight contracts. CFR and CIF, meanwhile, suit buyers who want us to book the vessel. Each offer states the Incoterm and port clearly.
One arm of BV Holdings PLC
BV Holdings Agro is the agricultural export company of BV Holdings PLC, alongside BV Cocoa Products and BV Metal & Minerals.
Request a Cameroon yellow maize quote
Send us your grade, volume, aflatoxin limit and destination, so we can prepare an offer and sample. Request a quote for Cameroon yellow maize today. You can also browse all cereals , including white maize and sorghum .