Agricultural Solutions

3rd Quarter 2018

The Agricultural Solutions segment posted considerable sales growth compared with the third quarter of 2017. This was attributable to portfolio effects from the acquisition of significant businesses and assets from Bayer in August 2018, a higher price level and slightly stronger volumes. Negative currency effects continued to weigh on sales development.

Factors influencing sales, Agricultural Solutions 3rd quarter 2018

Factors influencing sales, Agricultural Solutions 3rd quarter 2018 (bar chart)

Sales declined slightly in Europe, mainly as a result of lower sales volumes for herbicides and fungicides following the extreme weather conditions and long dry period in central and western Europe in particular.

In North America, sales considerably exceeded the prior-year figure. This was primarily due to portfolio effects from the acquired businesses as well as to a higher price level.

Sales in Asia were up slightly year on year as a result of positive portfolio effects and higher prices. Sales growth was tempered by negative currency effects.

The region South America, Africa, Middle East posted considerable sales gains. This was mainly driven by higher prices and sales volumes, particularly for fungicides and insecticides. The acquired businesses contributed to the increase in sales. Negative currency effects had an offsetting impact.

Despite the seasonally strongly negative results of the businesses acquired from Bayer, income from operations before special items was down only €26 million on the prior-year quarter. Income generated by BASF operations excluding Bayer activities rose considerably compared with the third quarter of 2017. Excluding the negative currency effects, EBIT before special items also increased slightly overall.

Segment data Agricultural Solutions (million €)

 

 

3rd quarter

January–September

 

 

2018

2017

Change in %

2018

2017

Change in %

1

Amortization of intangible assets and depreciation of property, plant and equipment (including impairments and reversals of impairments)

2

Additions to intangible assets and property, plant and equipment

Sales to third parties

 

1,243

987

26

4,472

4,368

2

Income from operations before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA)

 

79

85

(7)

881

1,016

(13)

Amortization and depreciation1

 

118

65

82

244

195

25

Income from operations (EBIT)

 

(39)

20

.

637

821

(22)

Special items

 

(34)

(1)

.

(59)

(5)

.

EBIT before special items

 

(5)

21

.

696

826

(16)

Assets (September 30)

 

15,625

7,454

110

15,625

7,454

110

Investments including acquisitions2

 

7,152

35

.

7,229

121

.

Research and development expenses

 

181

124

46

424

362

17