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HomePosts Tagged "Syngenta Group"
Agribusiness, Agrotech, Digital Technologies, R&D

Cropwise AI is a cutting-edge GenAI system designed to increase the efficiency of agronomic advisors and growers to determine the best crop management practices.

Syngenta Group, a global leader in agricultural innovation, announced the launch of Cropwise AI at the World AgriTech Innovation Summit in London. Cropwise AI is a cutting-edge GenAI system designed to increase the efficiency of agronomic advisors and growers to determine the best crop management practices. Leveraging advanced machine learning algorithms and data analytics, Cropwise AI empowers growers with deep insights and enhanced decision-making capabilities to optimize crop yields, improve sustainability, and drive profitability.

Cropwise AI leverages the deep library of Agronomic Models housed within Cropwise Insight Engine, including over 20 years of weather history, soil conditions, more than 80,000 observations on crop growth stages, and historical yield data from R&D and on-farm trials.

This information is then integrated with Syngenta’s extensive agronomic expertise. Combined with a multi-lingual conversational LLM, the system provides growers with tailored recommendations for precise input applications, product placement, and strategies for pest and disease control in easy-to-understand natural language.

The unique combination of data and models helps farmers make better decisions. Utilizing Syngenta’s seed recommendation models, Cropwise AI helps growers increase yields by up to 5 per cent.

“Cropwise AI represents a significant milestone in our digital transformation journey,” said Feroz Sheikh, Chief Information and Digital Officer at Syngenta Group. “By combining our deep agronomic knowledge with cutting-edge AI capabilities, we are bringing the power of GenAI to agriculture and empowering growers to make data-driven decisions.”

Earlier this year, the launch of GHX 2.0 with Cropwise AI integration brought the full potential of farmer data to life. The updated GHX 2.0 app allows users to ask questions and get answers on products and agronomic challenges, to high-impacting diseases like Tar Spot.

Key features of Cropwise AI include:

Seeds recommendation and placement: providing insights on seed products and utilizing advanced predictive machine learning algorithms to deliver tailored seed recommendations.

Predictive Modeling: Leveraging machine learning algorithms to forecast crop growth, yield potential, and risk factors based on real-time and historical data.

Precision Agriculture: Providing site-specific recommendations for optimized input application, minimizing waste and maximizing resource efficiency.

Looking ahead, Syngenta plans to expand Cropwise AI’s capabilities with innovative features that will further revolutionize agricultural practices:

Advanced Disease and Pest Management: Future iterations will leverage computer vision and image recognition to detect and identify pests and diseases early, for proactive and precise management strategies.

Sustainability Analytics: Syngenta will integrate sustainability analytics to quantify the environmental impact of farming practices and provide suggestions for reducing carbon footprint.

“Cropwise AI is an industry-leading example of how GenAI can address critical agricultural issues”, said Elizabeth Fastiggi, Global Head of Agriculture, AWS. “Syngenta has revolutionized decision support, giving farmers easy access to expert advice. We’re excited to partner with them to boost yields and optimize productivity across the agri-food system.”

Cropwise AI is currently available to selected groups of customers in the United States and Brazil, with plans to expand to Europe in the near futur

Cropwise AI is a cutting-edge GenAI system

Agribusiness, Company News, Middle East countries, People

Hili will succeed Steve Hawkins, who has been appointed President of Syngenta Crop Protection and a member of the Syngenta Group Leadership Team.

Israel based ADAMA Ltd., a leading crop protection company, announced that its board of directors has appointed Gaël Hili as its President and Chief Executive Officer, effective October 1, 2024. Hili will join the Syngenta Group Leadership Team and will be based in Tel Aviv.

Hili will succeed Steve Hawkins, who has been appointed President of Syngenta Crop Protection and a member of the Syngenta Group Leadership Team, based in Basel, effective October 1, 2024. Steve will continue to be fully dedicated to driving ADAMA’s ongoing business and transformation plan until his official appointment.

Hili has dedicated most of his career to the agriculture industry, starting with operational and commercial roles at Dow AgroSciences in Europe and later at Dow Chemical Company, where he served as Global Marketing Director. In 2017, he joined Syngenta as Head of Europe East, where he led the team to significant market share growth in both the Seeds and Crop Protection businesses. Since December 2023, he has served as the Head of Europe Syngenta CP and Seeds Field Crops. Hili holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Université de Technologie de Compiègne, France.

Jeff Rowe, President and CEO of Syngenta Group, said: “I am pleased to welcome Gaël Hili as the new CEO of ADAMA and member of the Syngenta Group Leadership Team. Gaël brings extensive experience and a proven track record of driving profitable growth and leading successful organizational change. He is the ideal candidate to accelerate the implementation of ADAMA’s transformation plan, successfully launched by Steve and the Global ADAMA Leadership Team earlier this year, to address the near-term financial health of the company and capture the fast-growing Value Innovation customer segment in ADAMA’s leading markets. Under Gael’s leadership together with ADAMA’s strong Leadership Team, and the continued support of Syngenta Group, I am confident that ADAMA will turnaround, revalue and reposition for the benefit of all its stakeholders including customers, employees, investors and bondholders around the world.”

Gaël Hili commented: “I am honoured to take on the role of President and CEO at such a pivotal time for ADAMA. The Transformation plan has already shown promising improvement in ADAMA’s cash flow, demonstrating our commitment to financial health and operational excellence. My focus will be on accelerating this momentum, ensuring we meet our profit and cash targets over the next three years. By building on the solid foundation laid by Steve and the leadership team, I am dedicated to driving long-term success and value for all our stakeholders. Together with ADAMA’s committed and professional global teams, we will continue to transform ADAMA into a stronger, more resilient company.”

Hili will succeed Steve Hawkins, who has

Company News, Environment, Soil Health, Sustainability, World

By 2026, ambitious target to recover over 300 thousand hectares of degraded land in Cerrado Brazil and regenerate agricultural soils in China.

Syngenta Group, the leading global agriculture technology company, and The Nature Conservancy (TNC), a world-wide conservation organization with the mission to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends, today renewed their successful collaboration that links conservation goals with economic potential and addresses societal issues like deforestation and land degradation. The two partners have been collaborating since 2009 and entered into a global collaboration in 2018.

The new three-year collaboration builds on successful projects and focuses on further advancing business practices with the goals to scale up regenerative agriculture, improve resource efficiency to minimize impact of agriculture on climate, improve soil health, and promote habitat protection in major agricultural regions worldwide including the Cerrado region of Brazil, China, and the United States. The collaboration embodies Syngenta’s commitment to regenerate soil and nature, core to its new Group-wide sustainability priorities announced in April 2024.

Petra Laux, Chief Sustainability Officer of Syngenta Group: “We are very proud to continue our collaboration with TNC and our partnership for impact. We want to further leverage our efforts towards a climate solution-oriented agriculture fueled by innovation and partnerships that regenerate soil and protect nature. Agriculture must not only feed a growing global population over the coming decades, but it also needs to fight climate change and safeguard natural resources.”

Syngenta has set an ambitious target to recover 1 million hectares of degraded land throughout Brazil, with a significant portion focused on the Cerrado where the TNC collaborates with the company.

The goal of the initiative is to make the restoration of degraded land the profitable option sought by farmers in Brazil when expanding their production, instead of clearing native vegetation. The REVERTE® program, originally designed by Syngenta and TNC for the Cerrado due to its significant potential, includes Itaú BBA bank as the organization offering a line of credit for the growers following socio-environmental criteria.

Michael Doane, Global Managing Director Food & Freshwater Systems, TNC: “REVERTE® aims to demonstrate, through an integrated solution involving good agricultural practices, financial tools, policy, and business models, the economic viability of restoring degraded pastures instead of opening new cultivation areas and avoiding deforestation. Restoring land in the Cerrado delivers soil and water conservation benefits, increases carbon sequestration, and can increase the resilience of the production systems to extreme climate events. The program aims to support the transformation of agribusiness in the Cerrado, generating social, economic, and environmental benefits today and in the future.”

By 2026, ambitious target to recover over

Agro chems – Chemicals, Agro chems – Fertilizers, Agro chems – Pesticides, Company News, Finance, Seeds, World

Given the current market environment, the Group remained focused on measures to improve operational efficiency and productivity to offset lower volumes and prices.

Syngenta Group today announced financial results for the first quarter of 2024. Sales for the first quarter 2024 were $7.4 billion, down $1.8 billion or 20 percent (-18% at CER), compared to a strong first quarter 2023. First quarter 2024 EBITDA decreased 34 percent (-26% at CER) from prior year to $1.2 billion.

Sales in the first quarter of 2024 continued to be impacted by industry-wide channel destocking in Crop Protection as distributors and retailers further reduced inventories in response to the pressure to lower working capital in the higher interest rate environment.

Given the current market environment, the Group remained focused on measures to improve operational efficiency and productivity to offset lower volumes and prices. EBITDA margin for the Group was 16.7 percent versus 20.2 percent in the first quarter 2023.

Syngenta’s Crop Protection, driver of approximately 40 percent of Syngenta Group’s sales, declined amidst a still challenging crop protection market. ADAMA also recorded a weaker first quarter compared to Q1 2023 in a challenging environment for suppliers of post patent active ingredients, with the business downturn in Asia Pacific (excluding China) and Europe greatly affecting the comparison. Syngenta Seeds overall was 8 percent lower than in the first quarter last year but showed strong growth in Vegetables Seeds, Flowers and in China.

Syngenta Group China saw a sales decline of 18 per cent versus last year’s record first quarter. Its Seeds business maintained its growth and the branded formulation crop protection business showed further growth on the back of recently launched products. The sales decline was partially offset by a better business mix and cost reductions.

Given the current market environment, the Group

Agribusiness, Agro chems – Chemicals, Agro chems – Pesticides, Company News, Europe, Finance, Seeds

Sales were impacted by softer demand due to high levels of channel inventory remaining from 2022.

Syngenta AG, a wholly owned subsidiary of Syngenta Group, published its 2023 full year results. Syngenta AG’s consolidated sales for 2023 were $19,196 million, compared with $19,963 million in 2022, a decrease of 4 percent year on year. At constant exchange rates sales decreased by 3 percent. Sales in 2023 were 4 percent lower than 2022, 3 percent lower at constant exchange rates, with a 1 per cent decrease in sales volumes and a further 2 percent decrease in local currency sales prices. Currency movements decreased reported sales by 1 percent.

Sales of Crop Protection products decreased by 4 percent, 3 percent at constant exchange rates and Seeds sales were 1 percent lower than 2022, also at constant exchange rates. Farm economics and crop prices remained relatively strong in 2023, although falling from the very high levels of 2022, except for commoditized products where pricing fell sharply. Sales were impacted by softer demand due to high levels of channel inventory remaining from 2022.

Crop Protection

Sales were 6 percent lower, 4 per cent at constant exchange rates from lower volumes of GESAPRIM® in Brazil and the US. Sales were 56 per cent lower due to lower TOUCHDOWN® prices and volumes in Latin America after the particularly high demand in 2022. GRAMOXONE® sales were also lower in the US and Latin America North. Fungicide sales increased by 7 per cent, 9 percent at constant exchange rates, with strong growth in sales of the new ADEPIDYNTM technology. Insecticide sales were 2 percent lower, 1 percent at constant exchange rates, with strong growth in sales of the new PLINAZOLIN® technology in Latin America offset by lower sales of older products.

Seedcare

Seedcare sales were 2 percent higher, 5 percent higher at constant exchange rates from growth in China and Asia. Asia Pacific. Sales were 5 percent lower, but 2 percent higher at constant exchange rates: local currency price increases were achieved to offset currency weakness in Pakistan and Bangladesh, but US dollar prices were lower in Australia and India. China sales maintained strong growth and increased by 18 percent versus 2022, 26 per cent at constant exchange rates. Growth was driven by new products, particularly ADEPIDYNTM.

Seeds

Sales were 6 percent lower, also at constant exchange rates, with prices 5 percent higher to cover the increased input cost of the seeds more than offset by lower volumes. Corn sales were lower in Latin America due to a shortage of competitive germplasm. Sales increased by 12 percent, 10 percent at constant exchange rates, with local currency sales prices to cover increased product costs. Sales volumes were lower in Russia and the Ukraine.

Sales in Asia Pacific, including China, increased by 10 percent, 15 percent at constant exchange rate, with higher corn sales in South East Asia and China.

2024 Outlook

Sales prices of non-selective herbicides are currently expected to be more stable in 2024. Conversely, field crop seed sales prices were higher in 2023, offsetting increased cost of goods sold that are linked to the cost of the relevant crop; both sales prices and cost of goods are expected to have stabilized in 2024.

Given the progress of channel inventory reduction in 2023, the impact on 2024 is currently expected to be less significant. Traded prices of key crop commodities underpin farmer profitability and support the usage of crop protection products and high-quality seeds to optimize both crop yield and quality. Syngenta expects significantly lower levels of sales returns in 2024 compared to 2023 mainly driven by the significant reduction of the in-channel inventory.

Sales were impacted by softer demand due

Agribusiness, Agro chems – Chemicals, Company News, Environment, North America, Sustainability

Syngenta is the only company within the agricultural sector to be included in the latest EPA’s National Top 100 List of top users of green power from the Green Power Partnership.

Syngenta Group, one of the world’s leading global agriculture technology companies, announced today that its manufacturing facility in St. Gabriel, Louisiana, US, has been recognized as a top user of green power by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Syngenta is the only company within the agricultural sector to be included in the latest EPA’s National Top 100 List of top users of green power from the Green Power Partnership.

This recognition marks the latest milestone in the company’s actions to decarbonize its operations globally. Dr Tom Gray, Head of Active Ingredient Strategy and Operations at Syngenta Group, said: “We are proud to be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for being a leader in the green power market. The implementation of our global strategy for sourcing renewable electricity is well underway, and we are working hard to decarbonize further and improve the energy efficiency of our operations. We are also collaborating closely with our partners throughout our global supply chain to decrease our entire carbon footprint.”

The St. Gabriel production site is one of Syngenta’s global manufacturing centers of excellence equipped to handle highly complex processes and meet the most stringent production and quality standards. The site consumes more than 150 million kWh of energy annually – equivalent to the annual electricity use of 14,000 homes in the country. Through the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates, Syngenta’s site demonstrates that it sources 100 percent of its electrical energy from renewable sources such as wind and solar – fully offsetting its electricity consumption from fossil fuel-based sources.

Program Manager of EPA’s Green Power Partnership James Critchfield said: “This list of the largest users of green power across the nation is proof that good business practices can also benefit the environment. EPA applauds the leading organizations in the Green Power Partnership’s Top Partner Rankings for their notable commitment to expanding their use of green power and protecting the environment.”

Globally, Syngenta has also invested significantly at its other production sites, as part of its published commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 2030. In Switzerland, Syngenta’s production site in Monthey uses hydropower for a sizeable portion of the site’s electricity needs and generates the equivalent of half its steam consumption by recovering heat from household waste incineration. In 2023, Syngenta’s Monthey site was awarded the “Go Carbon Free” label by the Carbon Free Valais Foundation, in recognition of its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.

In Brazil, Syngenta’s R&D and manufacturing sites for its crop protection and seeds businesses also source 100 percent of their electricity needs from renewable sources. This was achieved alongside comprehensive efforts aimed at reducing water consumption and waste generation, and at long-term net-zero energy sourcing.

In China, the Kunshan manufacturing site emerged as Syngenta Group China’s first carbon-neutral facility after Beijing Green Exchange, a platform for carbon emission trading in China, awarded it in July for fully offsetting its carbon emissions generated from its operations. The site is implementing continuous improvements such as real-time monitoring of electricity usage, alongside upgrading equipment to be more energy efficient.

Syngenta is the only company within the

Agrotech, Company News, Europe, R&D

The collaboration includes Integration of Syngenta Cropwise platform with Case IH and New Holland Agriculture digital platforms.

Syngenta Group, the leading global agriculture technology company, and CNH Industrial (CNH), parent of major farm equipment brands Case IH and New Holland Agriculture, today announced the integration of Syngenta’s digital Cropwise platform with the agricultural brands of CNH. The two partners announced their collaboration at the industry-leading conference Agritechnica that took place from 12 to 18 November 2023 in Hannover, Germany.

The integration of Cropwise with CNH farm equipment and the connection of different precision agricultural systems is key to simplify the decision-making process of farmers and advisors, creating reliable and connected data sources that generate stronger insights for their businesses. Besides CNH, Cropwise has also implemented integrations with John Deere and Ag Leader. The integration with Farmobile in the US is also planned.

Matthew Pickard, Global Head of Digital Agriculture Products: “Technology plays an increasingly crucial role to help farmers make better data driven decisions and comply with complex regulatory standards. This is possible only when we have seamless and open connectivity between systems. We are delighted to join forces with CNH in order to improve the agronomic data flow for our customers between their machinery and digital decision-making tools.”

Dan Danford, Precision Technology Partner Manager from CNH comments: “This connection is meeting a very high demand since so many farmers around the world are both Syngenta customers and owners of Case IH and New Holland machines. Our customers rely on a variety of partners for the most efficient productivity, so our aim is to make it easy for them to share the valuable data they create with valued partners like Syngenta.”

Denser data collection – driven by new technologies and new regulations in Europe

For the last couple of years farmers across Europe have been increasing adoption of digital farming tools such as precision machinery for cultivating, planting and spraying, field data collection using satellites, drones and weather stations to make more accurate agronomy decisions and prioritize resources. In many cases this leads to equal or higher quality and yield with less use of inputs.

Encouragement towards eco-schemes and adoption of greener practices is also a big theme in Europe, through policies such as the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), tying a portion of farm subsidies to environmental initiatives, which will be smoother to adopt if done precisely and with the benefit of denser field data.

Many governments are already implementing a more data driven approach. In Spain for instance, farmers will be asked to provide Crop Protection production information using a digital document package called a Fieldbook, containing specific data on field history, crop planting, use of fertilizer and crop protection and so on. Syngenta has introduced the Fieldbook feature in Cropwise Protector to assist farmers and distributors in meeting these requirements. The digital solution not only streamlines ministry-required information completion but also ensures compliance by reducing the chances of errors and helping users make and justify decisions for Crop Protection applications.

The collaboration includes Integration of Syngenta Cropwise

Agro chems – Chemicals, Agro chems – Fertilizers, Agro chems – Pesticides, Company News, Finance, Inputs, Seeds, World

Sales of the Group for the third quarter were $6.8 billion, down 13 percent (-13% CER) and EBITDA was $0.3 billion, down 68 percent from prior year.

Syngenta Group announced financial results for the first nine months and third quarter of 2023. Group sales for the first nine months of 2023 were $24.3 billion, down 6 percent year-on-year (-3% CER) and EBITDA was 22 per cent lower (-20 per cent CER) when compared to an exceptionally strong 2022.

In the first nine months of 2023, the industry-wide channel destocking continued as distributors and retailers further reduced inventories, they built up in response to the supply chain disruptions of 2022. Overall farmer income and use of agricultural products, solutions and services remain robust. However, high working capital costs for customers due to sustained higher interest rates prompted many channel partners and farmers to order closer to application. These factors weighed on the comparison with the same period last year, when the Group achieved record sales and profits.

Sales of the Group for the third quarter were $6.8 billion, down 13 percent (-13% CER) and EBITDA was $0.3 billion, down 68 percent from prior year. The EBITDA was significantly impacted by a softer market in Brazil versus a record high in 2022 and a one-time seed inventory correction in Brazil, in addition to the timing of a royalty receipt, which was advanced to Q2 as noted in the H1 earnings release.

Sales of Syngenta Crop Protection and ADAMA were lower compared to the exceptionally strong first three quarters of the prior year. Crop Protection in China continued to see strong growth in the first nine months of 2023, with sales up 16 percent year-on-year, benefiting from launch of new technologies. Syngenta Group’s biological solutions grew 14 percent in sales compared to the first nine months of the previous year.

The Seeds business grew 3 percent to $3.3 billion sales in the first nine of months of 2023. Year-on-year comparison of Q3 was distorted by an earlier phasing of royalty income, realized in Q2 this year, while being recorded in Q3 last year. The Seeds business in Latin America saw lower sales and profit due to a one-time inventory adjustment.

Syngenta Group China grew by 9 percent in the first nine months of 2023, with total sales of $7.7 billion. MAP, Syngenta Group’s Modern Agriculture Platform grew in the same period by 25 percent to $3.3 billion, while the number of MAP centers further increased by 162 to a total of 727.

Syngenta Group continued its productivity improvements, cost containment and, where applicable, price adjustments to help mitigate the impact of higher cost incurred in 2022. Syngenta Group’s EBITDA margin for the first nine months of 2023 was 14.6 percent, which is lower than the record high EBITDA during the same period last year.

Sales of Syngenta Crop Protection and ADAMA were lower compared to the exceptionally strong first three quarters of the prior year. Crop Protection in China continued to see strong growth in the first nine months of 2023, with sales up 16 percent year-on-year, benefiting from launch of new technologies. Syngenta Group’s biological solutions grew 14 percent in sales compared to the first nine months of the previous year.

The Seeds business grew 3 percent to $3.3 billion sales in the first nine of months of 2023. Year-on-year comparison of Q3 was distorted by an earlier phasing of royalty income, realized in Q2 this year, while being recorded in Q3 last year. The Seeds business in Latin America saw lower sales and profit due to a one-time inventory adjustment.

Syngenta Group China grew by 9 percent in the first nine months of 2023, with total sales of $7.7 billion. MAP, Syngenta Group’s Modern Agriculture Platform grew in the same period by 25 percent to $3.3 billion, while the number of MAP centers further increased by 162 to a total of 727.

Syngenta Group continued its productivity improvements, cost containment and, where applicable, price adjustments to help mitigate the impact of higher cost incurred in 2022. Syngenta Group’s EBITDA margin for the first nine months of 2023 was 14.6 percent, which is lower than the record high EBITDA during the same period last year.

Sales of the Group for the third

Agrotech, Biofuel industry, Oilseeds, World

 MoU would leverage both companies’ existing capabilities to accelerate the research, processing, and commercialization of new and low carbon-intensity oilseeds.

ADM, a global leader in nutrition and agricultural origination and processing, and Syngenta Group, one of the world’s biggest agricultural technology companies, announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate in scaling research and commercialization of low carbon-intensity next-generation oilseeds and improved varieties to help meet skyrocketing demand for biofuels and other sustainably sourced products.

The MoU envisions a collaboration in which ADM and Syngenta would leverage their existing capabilities to accelerate the research, processing, and commercialization of new, low carbon-intensity oilseeds, such as Camelina, that are typically grown in the fallow period of a crop rotation.

The companies have broad capabilities including:

Syngenta’s R&D engine, which offers biotechnology support, seed treatments, and biologicals that further reduce the carbon intensity of crops, and agronomic knowledge from a network of local, field experts combined with excellent farmer relationships.

ADM’s global scale and logistical expertise, including unparalleled production and storage capabilities, a vast logistical network, and relationships with growers and customers spanning food, feed, fuel, industrial and consumer products.

ADM and Syngenta envision fostering partnerships with additional companies to support the creation, commercialization and processing of next-generation oilseeds. The companies expect to sign definitive agreements by the end of the year and are already advancing important work together around growing and processing next-generation varieties.

“This exciting MoU with Syngenta demonstrates how we are working with partners to bring the full value chain together to support new seed technologies,” said Greg Morris, president of ADM’s Ag Services & Oilseeds business. “It builds on our unique capabilities by creating a path to scale the processing of cover crops, a process we’ve already successfully piloted. We look forward to working with Syngenta to advance this work and continue to meet demand for sustainably sourced fuels and other products.”

“Syngenta is excited to join forces with ADM to bring more sustainable and profitable solutions to farmers,” said Justin Wolfe, President of Syngenta Global Seeds.  “Sustainability is a core enabler of our business strategy.  We believe collaborations, such as this one, are important ways to drive quicker innovation that delivers higher yield potential while carrying a lower impact to our environment. Work will begin in North America.”

“Farmers have always been stewards of the land,” said Alison Taylor, ADM’s chief sustainability officer. “We’re already expanding our partnerships with farmers through our re:generations™ regen ag program; this MoU represents another pathway for us to help them drive value by positioning their businesses to meet global demand for sustainably-sourced products.”

“Transforming agriculture will be fueled by innovation, but it must be achieved at scale,” said Daniel Vennard, Syngenta Group’s Chief Sustainability Officer. 

 MoU would leverage both companies’ existing capabilities

Agro chems – Chemicals, Agrotech, Company News, Europe, Finance, Seeds

All business units delivered growth except ADAMA which was particularly impacted by lower sales of its non-agricultural businesses in the US and China.

 Switzerland based Syngenta Group announced financial results for the first quarter of 2023. Sales for the first quarter 2023 were $9.2 billion, up $0.3 billion or 3 percent (+8 per cent at CER), compared to a strong first quarter 2022. First quarter 2023 EBITDA increased 1 per cent (+9% at CER) from prior year to $1.9 billion.

All business units continued benefitting from demand for innovative products and services that promote yield increases and support regenerative farming methods that combat climate change, enhance soil health, and preserve biodiversity and water quality.

The Group continued to sustain higher prices to help offset higher costs. Seeds market growth remained robust while the market for crop protection non-selective herbicides has slowed as inventories are reduced through the supply chain.

All business units delivered growth except ADAMA which was particularly impacted by lower sales of its non-agricultural businesses in the US and China. EBITDA margin for the Group was 20.2 per cent. The growth of Syngenta Group’s crop protection businesses was slower compared to the exceptionally strong quarters in the prior two years. Prices were higher versus the prior year, helping offset cost increases. Syngenta Seeds continued its strong momentum and delivered double digit sales growth driven by price increases across all regions that offset higher costs.

Syngenta Group continued its strong growth in China. Syngenta Group China’s MAP sales grew 62 percent to $1.1 billion as the number of MAP centres increased by 124 from a year earlier to a total of 638 centres. Average sales per centre were up 29 per cent year-on-year. With the MAP offering, farmers can modernize farming practices sustainably, while boosting crop quality and farm profitability. The Group’s digital solutions have been adopted on 226 million acres globally with high demand from farmers in key markets.

Syngenta Crop Protection

Syngenta Crop Protection sales grew 2 percent to $4.3 billion in the first quarter 2023. Sales in North America sales grew 22 percent; Europe, Africa and the Middle East grew 1 percent. In Asia Pacific (excluding China), sales were 4 percent lower, reduced by 12 percent adverse currency movements. Sales in Latin America decreased by 17 percent as pre-season channel stocking subsided; and China sales grew by 27 per cent, despite an adverse impact of 11 percent from a stronger US dollar.   Syngenta Crop Protection received regulatory approval for its PLINAZOLIN® technology in five countries including Brazil and India, providing farmers with cutting-edge insect control and addressing urgent resistance challenges.

ADAMA

ADAMA sales were 12 percent lower at $1.6 billion in the first quarter 2023.  Sales in Europe, Africa and the Middle East and Latin America remained flat. North America decreased by 26 percent primarily affected by the consumer and the professional product segments; Asia Pacific (excluding China) decreased 14 percent. Sales in China were 23 percent lower largely due to non-agricultural chemical sales. ADAMA launched Cosayr® and Lapidos®, two Chlorantraniliprole-based insecticides in India, protecting rice and sugar cane crops from pests.

Syngenta Seeds

Syngenta Seeds sales grew 12 percent to $1.5 billion in the first quarter 2023, as price increases covered higher costs. Field crop sales in Europe, Africa and the Middle East grew 21 percent; North America grew 3 percent; Asia Pacific (excluding China) increased 21 percent; and China 41 percent. Latin America was 15 percent lower, constrained by product availability. Sales of Vegetable Seeds decreased by 1 per cent.

All business units delivered growth except ADAMA

Agrotech, Company News, Europe, IT, R&D

“Shoots by Syngenta™” will also include a startup accelerator, providing a supportive ecosystem for early-stage companies developing new agricultural technologies

Syngenta Group announced the launch of “Shoots by Syngenta™,” a global platform designed to help tackle agriculture’s most complex challenges, increase innovation, and advance more sustainable agriculture. Starting with science-based innovation challenges, the platform will connect scientific discovery and creativity, bringing together academics, research institutes, startups, and cross-industry sectors to collaborate with Syngenta’s global network of 5,000+ scientists.

“Shoots by Syngenta™” will also include a startup accelerator, providing a supportive ecosystem for early-stage companies developing new agricultural technologies. Cohorts of startups will enter a program connecting them with mentors, resources, and funding to accelerate their growth and impact.

“Helping growers sustainably feed a rapidly growing human population requires a strong collaboration focus, not just across agriculture but across industries,” said Gusui Wu, Global Head of Seeds Research. “Collaboration is at the heart of how our scientists approach innovation every day. It’s embedded in our scientific culture, and we are continually seeking out different technologies, solutions and partners to help us better serve farmers.”

“Shoots by Syngenta™” will spotlight specific innovation needs from across the Syngenta Crop Protection and Seeds businesses. Science-based innovation challenges will be posted on the website, enabling anyone with a scientific interest to submit proposals in response to the challenges or other areas of focus. Proposals are quickly evaluated, and if there is a mutual fit, they are progressed to a collaboration partnership to take forward the research or technology that might eventually be licensed.

“We know that science holds the answer to the challenges we face, so we’re open to sharing and helping others benefit from our world-leading findings and experiences,” says Camilla Corsi, Global Head of Research for Syngenta Crop Protection. “Shoots by Syngenta™ gives us gives access to real, proven data and insight, which can inform and accelerate future science-led breakthroughs.”

Additionally, the startup accelerator will provide early-stage companies the opportunity to pilot their technology at Syngenta’s Farm of the Future and select grower farms globally, mentorship and access to industry experts, and an opportunity to present and test ideas with relevant business leaders and investors. Participants will get one-on-one mentoring by Syngenta business leaders that is customized based on each team’s specific requirements.

“Our vision is to create an ecosystem that drives innovation and collaboration in the agricultural industry, creating a more sustainable and efficient future for farmers, consumers, and the planet,” said Feroz Sheikh, Chief Information and Digital Officer at Syngenta Group. “We believe that the most promising solutions to global food security, sustainability, and productivity will come from bringing together innovative and technology-driven start-ups with growers and industry experts.”

Leaders from Syngenta Group will be present at this week’s World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit and the IUPAC International Congress of Crop Protection Chemistry to engage with fellow innovators and share more on “Shoots by Syngenta™.”

“Shoots by Syngenta™” will also include a