46 3.1. NORTH WEST FREE STATE Figure 3.1 shows the long-term average percentage contribution of selected variable input costs for maize in the North West Free State, while Figure 3.2 and Figure 3.3 shows the percentage contribution comparing two specific production seasons. During these 20 years, the increasing trend in (%) terms, to a producer’s total variable cost, of fertiliser and lime, maize seed, and chemical costs can be seen, while a decreasing trend is observed with fuel cost. Fertiliser and lime, which are the biggest contributing inputs for a maize producer, have contributed to the past few years between 30% and 35%. 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 2002/2003 2003/2004 2004/2005 2005/2006 2006/2007 2007/2008 2008/2009 2009/2010 2010/2011 2011/2012 2012/2013 2013/2014 2014/2015 2015/2016 2016/2017 2017/2018 2018/2019 2019/2020 2020/2021 2021/2022 2022/2023 Figure 3.1: Contribution of seed as a variable input cost item to the total variable input cost as well as seed cost per hectare to produce maize for different production regions (2002/2003-2022/2023 production season). % Contribution Seed Fertiliser and lime Chemical control Fuel Source: Grain SA Source: Grain SA Linear (Seed) Linear (Fertiliser and lime) Linear (Chemical control) Linear (Fuel) During the 2010/2011 production season, fertiliser and lime accounted for 32% of the total variable input cost. Fuel contributed 12%, while repairs and parts made up 9%. The cost of seed represented 9% of total variable costs compared to more recent seasons, and chemical control accounted for 8% of total variable input costs. Figure 3.2: Contribution of different variable input cost items to the total variable input cost of maize for the North West Free State (2010/2011 production season). Fertiliser and lime Weed control Fuel Permanent labour Contract work Other cost Repairs and parts Seed 4% 9% 9% 9% 4% 32% 8% 12% INCOME AND PRODUCTION COST
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