Dow's crop protection sales down 11% in Q1 2015

Dow’s Agricultural Sciences sales recorded a decrease of 12% to $ 1,864 million in the first quarter ended on Mar 31, 2015. EBITDA declined by 19.2%  to $409 million, primarily due to price and currency headwinds in most regions, as well as softer demand and a later start to the European season compared to the prior year.


Crop Protection sales decreased 11 % from negative currency impact coupled with volume declines in Europe, Middle East, Africa and India (EMEAI) and the Americas, with current weather conditions resulting in a later start to the European season compared to the year-ago period.

Seeds sales decreased 14% in the quarter, as acreage switched from corn to soybeans in North America and Latin America. Higher crop yields and inventories coming into the planting season are resulting in lower crop commodity prices, which in turn, are leading to lower forecast planted acreage of corn across the Americas.