Africa Estate Farm Tools
Break-even: what yield and price do I need?
The yield you need at your farm-gate price, and the price you need at your expected yield, to cover the costs: the variable costs alone, or with the overheads. The same crop and cost lines as the crop budget, from Grain SA's own 2026/27 budget, with your own figures over them. Add a weak and a good scenario to see how far each lies above or below break-even.
1. Your crop
2. Your expected yield and price
3. The costs
Variable costs: R 20 316 a hectare (12 lines, Grain SA).
Change a cost line
4. Weak and good scenarios (optional)
Your own assumptions. "Test ... lower" is a hypothetical stress test, not a forecast. Empty means the expected figure.
The answer
At R 3 906/t, maize needs 5.20 t/ha to cover the variable costs; your 6.20 t/ha is 1.00 t/ha above. At 6.20 t/ha it needs R 3 277/t at the farm gate; your R 3 906/t is R 629/t above.
| Break-even on | Yield | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Variable costs only (R 20 316/ha) | 5.20 t/ha | R 3 277/t |
| With overheads (+R 7 499/ha) | 7.12 t/ha | R 4 486/t |
| Scenario | Yield vs break-even | Price vs break-even |
|---|---|---|
| Expected 6.20 t/ha, R 3 906/t | +1.00 t/ha | +R 629/t |
Not a profit: only the costs counted above are covered; tax, depreciation and the replacement of machinery and equipment are not in them.
Choose what goes along to the other crop tools
What you untick starts from Grain SA's figures in the other tool. Nothing personal goes along: farm figures only.
What this does not tell you
- Break-even covers only the costs counted: tax, depreciation and the replacement of machinery and equipment are not in them.
- The weak and good scenarios are your own assumptions; "Test 10% lower" and "Test 20% lower" are hypothetical stress tests, not forecasts.
- Grain SA's budgets are regional averages. Your own yield, input costs and buyer's price win.
- The farm-gate price is the Safex price less transport and handling; check your buyer's price on the day.
- This is an estimate, not financial advice. Speak to your study group, your bank or your adviser before a decision.
Sources
- Grain SA summer grain production budgets 2026/27 (Excel workbooks, Crop Comparison sheets) (2026-09-04)
- Safex prices: JSE Limited, as published in the Grain SA SAFEX feed (30 Oct 2026, 12:45); cross-checked with OVK (Iress). (2026-10-30)
Estimate, not advice. Confirm every figure with your bank, attorney and tax practitioner before a decision.