BASEL, Switzerland, April 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

  • Strong start to European season
  • Ongoing emerging market growth
  • North American season delayed by weather
  • On track to achieve full year sales growth target

Sales in the first quarter of 2014 increased by 5 percent at constant exchange rates. The increase in reported sales was 2 percent owing to the depreciation of a number of emerging market currencies against the dollar.

Integrated sales

Integrated sales rose by 5 percent at constant exchange rates, with volumes up 2 percent and prices 3 percent higher. In Europe, Africa and the Middle East growth of 10 percent was driven primarily by crop protection, with an early start to the season and high weed, disease and insect pressure. Growth continued in the CIS despite political instability, with price increases partly offsetting local currency depreciation.  In North America, prolonged cold temperatures delayed the start to the US season across the corn belt, while drought in California reduced demand for insecticides and fungicides. Canada saw good growth with the continuing success of VIBRANCE® seedcare and the expansion of canola and sugar beet seed sales.

In Latin America the pace of growth improved compared with the fourth quarter of 2013 despite dry conditions in Brazil and Argentina. High caterpillar pressure contributed to a significant increase in insecticide sales and in Venezuela business resumed following resolution of a payment delay. Sales of ELATUS progressed well in Paraguay and Bolivia; registration in Brazil was announced on February 28. In Asia Pacific, growth was strong across both developed and emerging markets. In Australasia, herbicide sales in particular benefited from distributor support for our early season offers and from rainfall in March. In China, sales of AMISTAR® technology doubled with expansion on rice and vegetables; South Asia saw strong demand for both crop protection and seeds in rice. 

Product line sales

Sales of Selective herbicides increased by 6 percent despite the delayed season in the USA. Europe saw strong growth in corn and cereals; in Latin America the greater incidence of glyphosate-resistant weeds boosted demand. In Non-selective herbicides a planned reduction in glyphosate volumes was more than offset by strong growth in GRAMOXONE®. In Fungicides sales of our new SDHI product SEGURIS® more than doubled, contributing to broad-based growth across Europe. Latin America saw double digit fungicides growth with increased use on cotton. The main driver of Insecticides growth was the continuing expansion of DURIVO®, notably in Latin America. Increased pest pressure and the replacement of neonicotinoid chemistry drove sales of FORCE® in Europe. Seedcare sales were lower partly due to the suspension of neonicotinoids, including CRUISER®, for certain crops in the EU. Latin American sales were also lower on reduced corn acreage. New launches included FORTENZA® in Argentina and the new biological product CLARIVA for soybean cyst nematode in the USA.

In seeds, Corn and soybean sales were unchanged, with US growers delaying planting decisions. In Latin America sales reflected lower second season corn acreage in Brazil. Sales of our tropical corn germplasm in Asia Pacific continued to expand rapidly. Growth in Diverse field crops was driven by ongoing growth in the CIS; this was partly offset by lower sunflower acreage in other European countries. In Vegetables the recovery in developed markets continued with strong growth in Europe, and sales continued their growth trajectory in Latin America. Global growth in Vegetables adjusted for the divestment of Dulcinea was 9 percent.

Lawn and Garden reflected modest growth in Europe and a decline in North America due to the weather. Sales in Latin America and Asia Pacific grew strongly.

Mike Mack, Chief Executive Officer said: "We have made a solid start to the year despite adverse weather conditions in North America. For the full year we maintain our sales growth expectation for the integrated business of 6 percent at constant exchange rates. As stated in February, lower seeds costs in 2014 will result in gross margin improvement. Research and development spend will increase and will be at the upper end of the targeted 9-10 percent of sales range. Given the depreciation of a number of emerging market currencies in the first quarter, the impact of currencies on full year EBITDA is likely to be around $100 million compared with an earlier forecast of $50 million. We continue to forecast a significant increase in free cash flow before acquisitions to around $1.5 billion."

A presentation illustrating the first quarter 2014 sales will be available on http://www.syngenta.com/q1-2014 by 07:30 (CET).

Syngenta is one of the world's leading companies with more than 28,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to our purpose: Bringing plant potential to life. Through world-class science, global reach and commitment to our customers we help to increase crop productivity, protect the environment and improve health and quality of life. For more information about us please go to www.syngenta.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as 'expect', 'would', 'will', 'potential', 'plans', 'prospects', 'estimated', 'aiming', 'on track' and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. We refer you to Syngenta's publicly available filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for information about these and other risks and uncertainties. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors. This document does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer, to purchase or subscribe for any ordinary shares in Syngenta AG, or Syngenta ADSs, nor shall it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract there for.

 

Unaudited first quarter sales





For the quarter ended March 31,

($m)

2014

2013

Actual %

CER1 %

Group sales






Europe, Africa, Middle East

2095

1936

+8

+10


North America

1232

1341

-8

-7


Latin America

595

568

+5

+9


Asia Pacific

558

525

+6

+14


Total integrated sales

4480

4370

+2

+5


Lawn and Garden

202

200

+1

+1


Group sales

4682

4570

+2

+5

Crop Protection by region






Europe, Africa, Middle East

1427

1267

+13

+13


North America

792

890

-11

-9


Latin America

529

500

+6

+9


Asia Pacific

496

468

+6

+14


Total

3244

3125

+4

+6







Seeds by region






Europe, Africa, Middle East

675

686

-1

+3


North America

451

460

-2

-2


Latin America

69

78

-12

-2


Asia Pacific

64

58

+10

+18


Total

1259

1282

-2

+2






Sales by business






Crop Protection

3244

3125

+4

+6


Seeds

1259

1282

-2

+2


Elimination of Crop Protection sales to Seeds

-23

-37




Total integrated sales

4480

4370

+2

+5


Lawn and Garden

202

200

+1

+1


Group sales

4682

4570

+2

+5


1 Growth at constant exchange rates

 

First quarter product line sales





For the quarter ended March 31,

($m)

2014

2013

Actual %

CER1 %


Selective herbicides

1055

1011

+4

+6


Non-selective herbicides

305

302

+1

+5


Fungicides

1004

926

+8

+9


Insecticides

513

480

+7

+11


Seedcare

322

379

-15

-11


Other crop protection

45

27

+71

+70


Total Crop Protection

3244

3125

+4

+6


Corn and soybean

684

700

-2

-


Diverse field crops

402

415

-3

+3


Vegetables

173

167

+4

+5


Total Seeds

1259

1282

-2

+2


Elimination of Crop Protection sales to Seeds

-23

-37




Lawn and Garden

202

200

+1

+1


Group sales

4682

4570

+2

+5


1 Growth at constant exchange rates

 

 

Syngenta International AG

 

Media Office

CH-4002 Basel

Switzerland

Tel:               +41 61 323 23 23

Fax:              +41 61 323 24 24

 

www.syngenta.com



Media contacts:

 

Paul Barrett

Switzerland  +41 61 323 2323

 

                                                

Paul Minehart

USA               +1 202 737 8913

 



Analyst/Investor contacts:

 

Jennifer Gough

Switzerland  +41 61 323 5059

USA               +1 202 737 6521

 

Lars Oestergaard

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USA               +1 202 737 6520

 

SOURCE Syngenta International AG

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