Syngenta releases global crop sales data for first quarter of 2015

A breakdown of crop-protection sales data by continent, region and product type for the first quarter of 2015 was released by Syngenta on April 17 in Basel, Switzerland.

Group sales compared to the first quarter of 2014 remained unchanged at $4 billion; reported sales were 14 percent lower, demonstrating the dollar’s strength against the Euro and other currencies. Integrated sales rose by one percent, to $3.8 billion.

In Europe, Africa and the Middle East, sales rose 15 percent. A surge in crop protection balanced lower yields for seeds caused by reduced acreage in some areas. In North America, sales were 16 percent lower, perhaps due to the prolonged winter's delaying the growing season.

In Latin America, sales were 11 percent lower, partly due to faltering insecticide sales, although fungicide continued to show strong trade; credit management in Venezuela caused a delay in sales, while corn seed sales fell in Brazil due to reduced acreage.

The Asia Pacific region saw lower sales in China based on the phasing out of liquid paraquat, as well as lower rice acreage in Thailand.

Analysis by product revealed that herbicide sales were lower, fungicides higher and overall insecticides reduced. Seed volume was down along with diverse field crops, with vegetables showing strength in developed markets.

Finally, lawn and garden sales diminished by five percent, with challenging North American market conditions.

Syngenta, with close to 30,000 employees in over 90 countries, is dedicated to bringing plant potential to life through world-class science, global outreach and customer commitment.

"In an environment of currency and crop price volatility, we have demonstrated our ability to successfully manage risk,” CEO Mike Mack said.