2008 FORECAST
yield, which has translated into increased  registered for use of our Rynaxypyr insecticide.  
demand for technology solutions.  Evidence of  Furthermore, we expect sales growth for 
this trend is apparent in a “significant price soybeans in North America,” says James Borel, 
increase across the board in crop protection”,  group vice-president of DuPont. 
notes Hoffman. However, Syngenta’s sales are 
seasonal and weighted towards the first half of Monsanto expects an “exceptional” year and 
the year (first and second quarters).  has reported record net sales of US$3.8 
billion for the 2nd quarter of fiscal year 2008, 
“Speculation plays a role as well…  in the rise  45% higher than sales in the same period 
in agricultural commodity prices… as the world in fiscal year 2007.  Key drivers for growth 
stock-to-use ratios for relevant crops such as  are increased revenues from the company’s 
soybeans, wheat and corn show,” says Elise  US maize seed and traits business as well as 
Kissling, global communications manager at  increased revenues from its Brazilian maize 
BASF.  “Discounting the speculative part for  seed business.
the moment, we continue to believe that this 
price trend will accompany us in the mid- “The performance of our seeds and traits 
term, as demand increases further with the  business has us on track for another exceptional 
rise of emerging markets such as Asia, higher  year and well positioned to support our five- 'We believe that corn seed
animal protein consumption and, consequently,  year strategic growth plan,” says Hugh Grant, 
sales in China will do very
increased demand for meat and feed and the chairman, president and CEO of Monsanto. 
well this year.... we expect
overall growing world population.” 
The company determined that second and third 
boosted revenues and sales
BASF is “confident about business  quarters of fiscal year 2008 are expected to be 
growth for soybeans in North
development” in its crop protection division in  the primary drivers for the company's fiscal year
America'
2008 and expects an ”improvement of sales  2008 EPS results. These quarters reflect both 
and EBIT” even though negative currency  the relative size of the company's US business 
James Borel, group VP of
effects will continue to impact individual and the importance of its seeds and traits Dupont
business segments (eg, the company’s North  business to Monsanto's earnings. 
American business being affected by the weak 
US dollar).  BASF sees growth opportunities  Technology unlocks the future
in eastern Europe, Latin America, especially  Like the other top five R&D-based crop  “Agricultural productivity has to be doubled
Brazil and Argentina, where it launched the  protection companies, DuPont recognises that  within the next 20 years to meet current 
AgCelence brand in 2007 for “products with F  sales growth “can also be attributed to a far agricultural challenges [ie, feeding a growing 
500, boscalid and fipronil in row crops as well  more advanced technological market”.  Borel  population that is changing dietary habits while
as specialty crops”, and also in North America,  emphasises the importance of DuPont’s need to  arable land is diminishing and there is a trend
says Kissling.  In addition, it is putting  align technology with its agricultural products towards growing biofuel crops]. That is why 
increasing emphasis on the growth markets of  so that the company could help farmers we believe that there is a huge global market 
India and China, especially in the high-value  increase their productivity.  that we can deliver products to.  We estimate 
fruit and vegetables segment. that by 2025 the global market will be worth 
Indeed, technology solutions are seen as the  US$50bn,” says Dr Hans Kast, president and 
DuPont also expects to see high growth in bywords for short-term and long-term future  CEO at BASF Plant Science.  Kast also pointed 
both sides of its business – seeds and crop success within the industry, as the global  out that there was a substantial market for all 
protection chemicals – during the same period.  challenge of producing more crops on limited the agrochemicals to share (see Figure 1).
“We believe that corn seed sales in China will arable land and in drought-prone climates to 
do very well this year; crop protection sales will meet the increasing demand for food and feed DuPont, which forecast “low double-digit” sales 
also increase with a number of countries having is becoming an increasing reality.          and earnings growth in the second quarter
of 2008 for the agriculture and nutrition 
segment, continues to develop new leading 
technology with a spotlight on sustainability
'The threat is to plant
and productivity in its crop protection pipeline.  
In 2007, across the agriculture and nutrition 
biotechnology in Europe'
segment, DuPont invested US$611 million 
Dr Hans Kast, president and in research. Also in 2007, DuPont generated 
CEO of BASF Plant Science
US$1.6 billion in revenue from products with a 
biotech trait, says Borel.  Furthermore, with the 
launch of Rynaxypyr, as a number of countries 
have registered its use, DuPont has increased 
its sales targets for 2008.  
www.agrow.com • July 2008 13
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