In the agricultural business (Crop Science), sales decreased by 3.6 percent (Fx & portfolio adj.) to 3.986 billion euros.
The Bayer Group has reported third-quarter sales that were level with the prior-year period on a currency- and portfolio-adjusted basis (Fx & portfolio adj.), while earnings declined. In the agricultural business (Crop Science), sales decreased by 3.6 percent (Fx & portfolio adj.) to 3.986 billion euros. Sales of glyphosate-based herbicides declined by 19.1 percent (Fx & portfolio adj.) as purchasing patterns normalised and volumes decreased as a result, while a significant acreage reduction for corn in Latin America contributed to a similar decline in global sales of the Corn Seed & Traits business (Fx & portfolio adj. 19.3 percent). These negative effects were partially offset by substantially increased fungicide and insecticide sales, with growth rates of 13.1 percent and 9.5 percent (Fx & portfolio adj.), respectively.
EBITDA before special items at Crop Science increased to 35 million euros (Q3 2023: minus 24 million euros), mainly due to lower provisions for the Group-wide short-term incentive (STI) program and a decrease in the cost of goods sold. Earnings were negatively impacted by the slight decline in sales. There was a positive currency effect of 32 million euros (Q3 2023: 121 million euros).
“The development of the agricultural market has been weaker than anticipated, especially in Latin America, and the company also continues to face pricing pressure in the crop protection business, he said. Bayer is therefore lowering its 2024 targets for Crop Science. For 2025, Bayer is cautious on the agricultural market environment. Additional regulatory challenges and generic pricing pressures are set to put pressure on the crop protection business”, said Bill Anderson, Chief Executive Officer, Bayer.
