AgroPages-Top six agrochemical firms grew steady in 2013-Agricultural news

Mickey Shan

Senior Editor; China Marketing Director

Global leading six agrochemical companies all achieved promising sales growth in dollar terms in 2013, among which BASF, Dow AgroSciences, Monsanto and DuPont recorded double-digit increases. Bayer CropScience became the second company whose annual sales over $10 billion after Syngenta got the breakthrough result in 2012.

Ranking of 2013 (2012)	Company	Sales of 2013¹ ($ million)	Sales of 2012² ($ million)	change%³
1 (1)	Syngenta	10,923	10,318	+5.9
2 (2)	Bayer CropScience⁴	10,420	9,535	+ 9.3
3 (3)	BASF	6,943	6,012	+15.5
4 (4)	Dow AgroSciences⁴	5,546	5,041	+10.0
5 (5)	Monsanto^4,5	4,521	3,715	+21.7
6 (6)	DuPont⁵	3,557	3,173	+12.1
1. data were converted by using average annual exchange rates for 2013 2. data were converted by using average annual exchange rates for 2012 3. rate of changes in dollar terms versus the same period of previous year 4. excludes sales of seed and trait businesses 5. fiscal year 2013 and 2012 ended August 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively

Syngenta still stands in the first place of the ranking, with full-year sales of $10.923 billion. The company posted growth across all sales regions, especially in Americas. Sales of non-selective herbicides registered a 24% rise to $1,545 million driven mainly by TOUCHDOWN®. Fungicides sales reached $3,035 million. The main contribution to growth came from SEGURIS®, the new SDHI fungicide for cereals, for which sales almost tripled.

Agrochemical sales of Bayer CropScience were over $10 billion for the first time. Growth was recorded in all regions, led by Latin America / Africa / Middle East, where sales climbed by a substantial 23.6%. Business in SeedGrowth in Europe receded overall, partly as a consequence of use restrictions for products containing neonicotinoids. Products used in maize and soybean gained stable increases, making a big contribution to sales growth.

Sales of BASF’s crop protection rose by 11.7% to €5,227 million in 2013. The significant sales growth was chiefly due to increased volumes and prices in all regions and indications. The acquisition of Becker Underwood further increased sales. Growth was also driven by greater demand and higher prices for fungicides and herbicides.

Crop Protection sales of Dow AgroSciences were up by 10%, driven by higher sales of herbicides in North America and Latin America, and higher sales of insecticides in Latin America. Sales of new crop protection products grew 23 %, led by spinetoram insecticide.

In 2013, Monsanto gained the largest sales growth in agrochemical section among the top six companies. The sales were up by 21.7% to $4.521 billion, driven by strong demand for its Roundup (glyphosate) herbicide.

DuPont's crop protection sales were increased by 12.1% to $3,557 million in 2013, principally driven by increased global insecticide and fungicide volumes.