Syngenta Group reported higher earnings for the first half of 2025 as stronger margins offset flat sales. This was supported by growth in crop protection and seeds businesses and improved profitability at its Israeli unit, ADAMA.

The Swiss-Chinese agricultural inputs company said first-half sales were unchanged from a year earlier at $14.5 billion, though up 2% at constant exchange rates. EBITDA rose 24% to $2.5 billion, with the margin improving to 17.5% from 14.1% in the same period of 2024.

The company said that second-quarter sales were steady at $7.2 billion, while EBITDA rose 32% to $1.1 billion. Currency headwinds weighed on reported revenue, but disciplined cost management and operational efficiency supported profitability.

Business unit performance

Syngenta Crop Protection sales increased 3% year-on-year to $6.4 billion in the first half, with growth in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa, and China offsetting declines in Latin America. Biologicals demand remained strong, and the company secured more than 800 product approvals globally, including for its TYMIRIUM technology in Brazil and new herbicide ALTESSIA in India.

Seeds sales rose 2% to $2.4 billion, driven by growth in China and Brazil. Vegetable seeds gained 5%, while flower seeds slipped 2%. The company advanced development of a new soybean herbicide tolerance trait and expanded its biotech crop portfolios in China, Brazil and Asia.

Syngenta Group China reported a 5% decline in sales to $4.9 billion, reflecting continued exits from lower-margin businesses. Seeds grew 15% and fertilizer 6%, but grain trading fell sharply. The company secured national certification for 12 new GM corn varieties and launched an AI-driven farmer advisory platform.

ADAMA’s sales were stable at $2.1 billion, with profitability improving under its “Fight Forward” restructuring plan. The business returned to revenue growth in the second quarter for the first time since 2022, supported by strong sales in North America.

Outlook

Syngenta said it expects stable sales and margins in the second half of 2025 as market conditions in crop protection show signs of recovery. Tariff developments are not anticipated to impact performance this year materially.

The group, owned by state-controlled ChemChina, employs more than 56,000 people worldwide and draws on its four core businesses: Syngenta Crop Protection, Syngenta Seeds, ADAMA and Syngenta Group China.

Source:FertilizerDaily