27 April 2023, Basel / Switzerland: 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% at CER), compared to a strong first quarter 2022. First quarter 2023 EBITDA increased 1 percent (+9% at CER) from prior year to $1.9 billion.
All business units continued benefitting from demand for innovative products and services that promote yield increases and support regenerative farming methods that combat climate change, enhance soil health, and preserve biodiversity and water quality.
The Group continued to sustain higher prices to help offset higher costs. Seeds market growth remained robust while the market for crop protection non-selective herbicides has slowed as inventories are reduced through the supply chain.
All business units delivered growth except ADAMA which was particularly impacted by lower sales of its non-agricultural businesses in the US and China. EBITDA margin for the Group was 20.2 percent.
Q1 2023
Q1 2023 ($bn)
Q1 2022 ($bn)
Change (%)
Change (CER) (%)
Sales
9.2
8.9
3
8
EBITDA
1.9
1.9
1
9
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 centers increased by 124 from a year earlier to a total of 638 centers. Average sales per center were up 29 percent 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.
Highlights
Sales by Business Units
Q1 2023
Q1 2023 – $bn
Q1 2022 – $bn
Change (%)
Change (CER) (%)
Syngenta Group
9.2
8.9
3
8
Syngenta Crop Protection
4.3
4.2
2
7
ADAMA
1.6
1.8
-12
-7
Syngenta Seeds
1.5
1.4
12
14
Syngenta Group China
3.0
2.4
26
37
Eliminations
-1.2
-0.9
n/a
n/a
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 percent, 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-basedinsecticides 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 Seedsdecreased by 1 percent.
Syngenta Seeds launched AgriPro® commercial hybrid wheat in the US for the spring 2023 growing season, bringing innovation to a major food crop that has not yet benefited from significant technology advancements.
Syngenta Group China
Syngenta Group China, consisting of the Group’s Seeds, Crop Protection, Crop Nutrition, MAP and digital activities in China, achieved sales of $3.0 billion, up 26 percent, in the first quarter 2023.
Syngenta Group China’s Crop Protection sales increased 11 percent. Sales of Seeds grew 40 percent. Crop Nutrition sales were 9 percent higher.
MAP and digital sales grew 62 percent to $1.1 billion. The number of MAP centers increased by 124 to a total of 638. MAP digital applications achieved over 2.4 million registered users, equipped with digital tools that help modernize farms across China.
Sales of biological products saw strong growth, with products such as high-end bio stimulant Nutrivo™, ISABION® and Yaxin™ seeing strong demand in China.
