Dow’s Agricultural Sciences sales up 13% in 2012

Sales of Dow AgroSciences’ Agricultural Sciences segment are $1,566 million, up 16.5% versus the year-ago period in the fourth quarter of 2012 ended Dec, 31st. EBITDA for this segment up by 7.6% to $156 million in the fourth quarter. Sales volume increased 13% and price rose 4%. For the full year, sales of Agricultural Sciences segment increased by 12.9% to $6,382 million, and EBITDA rose by 7.0% to $977 million, driven by increased customer adoption of new products and healthy industry fundamentals.

Fourth quarter sales of Crop Protection rose 10% versus the year-ago period, driven by broad-based gains across all geographic areas. Sales of new crop protection products grew 11% for the quarter and 19% for the full year, placing the business on track to exceed its target of $800 million in annual sales from these products by 2013.

Seeds, Traits and Oils reported a 44% sales gain in the quarter versus the year-ago period, driven by continued strong growth in both North America and Latin America. For the full year, this segment’s sales increased 27%, with significant increases in key crops, including corn, soybeans and healthy oils. Strong farmer demand fueled gains for SmartStax® corn hybrids.

Dow’s Agricultural Sciences sales results ($ million)
Q4 ended Dec. 31	Q4 2012	Q42011	%change	Full year 2012	Full year 2011	%change
sales	1,566	1,344	+16.5	6,382	5,655	+12.9
EBITDA*	156	145	+7.6	977	913	+7.0
* earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization