Client snapshot
- Founded: 2014
- Location: North-West Province, South Africa
- Machines in operation: 8 × Roff R-70 Turnkey Maize Mills
- Current capacity: over 35 tons of maize meal per hour
- Brand: Aunt Sally’s Snow White
From family farming to high-volume milling
Yarona Milling is a proudly South African, family-run agri-business with roots in agriculture dating back over a century. In 2014, the Chiboo brothers—Zakariya, Yoonus, and Mohammed Hanif—established Yarona Milling in South Africa’s North-West Province. Their vision: to turn locally grown maize into a high-quality maize meal product that could compete with major brands on price, taste, and reliability.
Today, Yarona Milling produces over 35 tons of maize meal per hour and is a leading player in the regional maize milling industry. Their journey wasn’t always smooth—but their decision to partner with Roff Milling made the difference.
The challenge — old gear, low extraction, tight cashflow
Between 2011 and 2013, severe drought wiped out the family’s smallholder farms. To survive, the brothers pivoted to maize milling by acquiring second-hand milling equipment at auctions. Unfortunately, the ageing machines delivered just 20% extraction, producing far more chop than usable meal. Margins were razor-thin, and with limited access to capital, buying top-tier European equipment wasn’t an option.
The turning point — partnering with Roff
While servicing the old equipment, the brothers noticed Roff logos on some components and reached out for help. Roff technicians audited the plant and reconditioned the rollers—instantly lifting extraction rates and restoring some profitability. Encouraged by these results, the Chiboos committed to a phased upgrade strategy: start with bolt-on Roff modules and accessories, then move to a full R-70 maize mill when finances allowed.
The solution — compact, high-output R-70 maize mills
Why the Roff R-70?
- Compact footprint – Adds capacity without expanding infrastructure
- High extraction rates – Converts more maize into meal, reducing waste and input costs
- Locally manufactured – Fast parts availability and lower total cost of ownership
- Turnkey design – Simple to install and easy to operate
After the first R-70 proved its value, Yarona Milling expanded rapidly—installing eight more lines to reach their current 35 plus t/h capacity.
Results that speak volumes
Yarona Milling’s transformation was nothing short of remarkable:
| Before Roff | After 5 years with Roff |
|---|---|
| 350 kg/h maize meal | Over 35 tons/hour maize meal |
| ~20% extraction | Best-in-class extraction |
| Limited local sales | Market-leading regional brand |
“We’re getting a phenomenal product out of the R-70 — it speaks for itself. The mill’s efficiency lets us price a 12.5 kg bag R20 below bigger brands and still turn a solid profit.”
Zakariya Chiboo
Co-founder, Yarona Milling
Why it matters for new millers
Yarona Milling’s journey highlights key lessons for entrepreneurs entering the maize milling space:
- Extraction = profit – Even modest improvements in extraction dramatically impact profitability
- Local support matters – Roff’s technicians kept the mill running when funds were tight
- Grow smart – Modular upgrades avoided risky, upfront capital commitments
Supporting sustainable agri-business in Africa
Roff’s maize milling solutions are designed for Africa’s unique challenges—durable, low-maintenance, and cost-effective. For Yarona Milling, this meant fewer stoppages, predictable maintenance, and consistent output that aligned with their brand standards.
Their success proves that, with the right equipment and support, local maize millers can achieve commercial-scale results without compromising on quality.
Thinking of starting or growing your maize milling business?
Whether you're setting up a small community mill or scaling to commercial production, Roff Milling offers the machinery, expertise, and after-sales support to help you succeed.
👉 Contact us to explore how a Roff maize milling solution can grow your business.
