DuPont recorded strong Q1 growth

DuPont’s agriculture segment, including crop protection and seed business, delivered 16.4% higher sales to $4,080 million in the first quarter of 2012. Pre-tax operating income, excluding significant items, posted an 18.3% increase to $1,314 million. Volume sales and prices of agriculture segment were both up 8%.

The good performance reflects strong global business performance and an early start to the North American and European selling seasons. The company commented that increased spending for sales, marketing and research and development, and higher costs for raw materials, energy and freight was offset by higher selling prices.

Seed sales growth reflects strong global performance with robust North American corn sales, a strong, early start to the European season and commercial success in Brazil's Safrinha season. Crop Protection product sales growth was underpinned by particular strength in insect control product volumes and price gains across the portfolio.