47 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 3.4: Contribution of different variable input cost items to the total variable input cost of maize for KwaZulu-Natal (2002/2003 to 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) Figure 3.3: Contribution of different variable input cost items to the total variable input cost of maize for the North West Free State (2023/2024 production season). Fertiliser and lime Weed control Fuel Permanent labour Contract work Other cost Repairs and parts Seed 4% 5% 8% 12% 3% 40% 13% 12% In the 2023/2024 production season, the share of fertiliser and lime had increased to 40% of the total variable input cost. Fuel maintained its 12% contribution, although the decrease in actual fuel usage reflects changes in production practices. Repairs and parts represent 8% of the total variable input cost. Both seed and chemical control costs increased in their relative contributions, with chemical control rising to 12% and 13% of the total variable input cost, respectively. 3.2. KWAZULU-NATAL (KZN) Figure 3.4 shows the long-term average percentage contribution of the main variable input costs for maize in Kwazulu-Natal. Two separate years of data will be elaborated on and compared against each other (Figure 3.5 and 3.6). INCOME AND PRODUCTION COST
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