Wholesale Maize (Corn) Suppliers

Maize (corn) is the world's most produced cereal crop by volume, with global production exceeding 1.2 billion tonnes annually and wholesale trade valued at over $191 billion. Feed-grade yellow maize dominates international trade flows, supplying poultry and swine feed manufacturers, ethanol producers, and starch processors. Towobo connects buyers with verified wholesale maize exporters from Argentina, Brazil, Ukraine, the USA, and other key origins.

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Maize types and grades for wholesale buyers

Wholesale maize trade is primarily segmented by colour and end-use application. Yellow maize (feed-grade) is the dominant internationally traded variety, used in compound animal feed, wet milling for corn starch/syrup/glucose, dry milling for cornmeal, and bioethanol production. White maize (food-grade) is preferred for direct human consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America (tortilla, ugali, sadza) and commands a modest premium over yellow feed-grade. Waxy corn (high amylopectin content) is a specialty industrial type sourced for specialty starch applications. High-starch corn and high-oil corn are bred specialty types for specific processing applications. In the USA, USDA official grain grades define quality by test weight (lb/bu), moisture content, damaged kernels, broken corn and foreign material (BCFM), and total defects. USDA No. 2 Yellow Corn (minimum test weight 56 lb/bu, moisture ≤15.5%, BCFM ≤3.0%) is the benchmark grade for international trade. Argentina and Ukraine export primarily on the basis of hectolitre weight (≥71 kg/hl), moisture (≤14.5%), and admixture (≤3%).

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between yellow maize and white maize for wholesale buyers?

Yellow maize (feed-grade) is the standard commodity traded internationally — its yellow colour comes from beta-carotene and xanthophyll pigments. It is used primarily in compound animal feed, wet milling for starch/glucose/syrup, and bioethanol. White maize has lower pigment content, white endosperm, and is preferred for direct human food uses in Africa and Latin America (mealie meal, sadza, ugali, tortillas). White maize trades at a 5–15% premium over yellow feed-grade depending on destination market supply/demand dynamics.

How do I confirm that maize from Brazil is EUDR-compliant?

For EUDR compliance on Brazilian maize, you need: plot-level geolocation coordinates (polygon data) for all farms where the maize was grown; a traceability chain from farm to port; and evidence that none of the plots were deforested after 31 December 2020 (verifiable against satellite deforestation datasets such as MapBiomas). Work with Brazilian suppliers who have implemented EUDR-ready supply chain management systems or who hold certification under a EUDR-eligible scheme. Large Brazilian grain trading companies (AMAGGI, Bunge, Cargill, ADM) have EUDR compliance programmes in place.

What MOQ is typical for buying bulk maize internationally?

For vessel cargo: minimum practical parcel size is approximately 5,000–10,000 MT on a consolidated vessel booking or 25,000 MT for a full Handysize charter. For containerised maize in big bags: one FCL (20ft container) holds approximately 24 MT — most exporters require 5–10 FCL minimum (120–240 MT). For small buyers, regional grain traders in origin countries often offer 500–2,000 MT parcels on truck-or-rail delivery to silo, with containerisation arranged by the buyer's freight forwarder.

What is the USDA No. 2 Yellow Corn standard?

USDA No. 2 Yellow Corn is the benchmark international trade grade for feed-grade maize. It requires: minimum test weight of 56 lb/bu (approximately 72.0 kg/hl); moisture ≤15.5%; total damaged kernels (heat-damaged + total) ≤5.0% (heat-damaged ≤0.2%); broken corn and foreign material (BCFM) ≤3.0%; and total defects ≤5.0%. USDA official grain inspection is performed by FGIS-licensed inspectors. Argentine and Ukrainian exporters use their own national standards (hectolitre weight, moisture, admixture) that are broadly equivalent to USDA No. 2.

What maize GM events are currently authorised in the EU?

The EU maintains a register of authorised GM food and feed under Regulation (EC) 1829/2003 — searchable on the EU GMO register (ec.europa.eu). Authorised maize events include MON810, NK603, Bt11, MIR162, MIR604, GA21, and a number of stacked events. Crucially, Argentina, Brazil, and the USA regularly approve new GM events that have not received EU authorisation — any adventitious presence of non-authorised events in maize exported to the EU creates a zero-tolerance non-compliance. Buyers should require their exporters to provide event-specific test certificates (PCR-based) from ISO 17025-accredited laboratories confirming only EU-authorised events are present.

Wholesale Maize (Corn) Suppliers

Maize types and grades for wholesale buyers

Wholesale Maize (Corn) Suppliers

Maize types and grades for wholesale buyers

GMO labelling requirements for maize imports

Aflatoxin and mycotoxin limits for maize

EUDR traceability for deforestation-risk origins

Origin profiles: Argentina, Brazil, Ukraine, USA, and South Africa

MOQ and Incoterms for bulk maize procurement

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between yellow maize and white maize for wholesale buyers?

How do I confirm that maize from Brazil is EUDR-compliant?

What MOQ is typical for buying bulk maize internationally?

What is the USDA No. 2 Yellow Corn standard?

What maize GM events are currently authorised in the EU?

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