Agricultural Solutions

In the Agricultural Solutions segment, we aim to further strengthen our market position as a leading provider of innovative solutions in the agricultural industry. Our product portfolio is designed for different crop systems. We connect seeds and traits, seed treatment products, biological and chemical crop protection products, digital tools and our commitment to sustainability to deliver the best possible outcomes for farmers, growers and our other stakeholders along the value chain. Our strategy is based on innovation-driven organic growth and targeted portfolio enhancement and expansion through collaborations and acquisitions. Customer needs, societal expectations and reduced environmental impact are what motivate us to innovate. Our innovation pipeline has a peak sales potential of more than €7.5 billion for products launched by 2034.

In the Agricultural Solutions segment, sales were below the figure of the previous year at €9,798 million in 2024. This was due to considerable negative currency effects and slightly lower prices, particularly for the herbicide glufosinate-ammonium. Increased volumes were unable to fully offset this.

Sales in Europe declined by €190 million to €2,410 million due to lower volumes of crop protection products and negative currency effects, particularly in relation to the Turkish lira. Higher prices had a positive effect.

In North America, sales dropped below the level of the previous year to €3,897 million. The decline was mainly driven by lower prices, especially for glufosinate-ammonium. Negative currency effects – in particular in relation to the Canadian dollar and the Mexican peso – also contributed to the sales decline. Sales volumes remained stable.

In Asia, sales rose by €63 million to €1,135 million due to volume increases in nearly all indications. Negative currency effects, particularly in relation to the Chinese renminbi and the Japanese yen, as well as lower prices dampened the performance.

Sales in the South America, Africa, Middle East region declined by €63 million on the previous year to €2,356 million. The decrease was attributable to negative currency effects, particularly in relation to the Brazilian real and the Argentine peso, as well as lower prices. Higher volumes in nearly all indications had an offsetting effect.

EBITDA before special items decreased considerably. This was mainly due to developments in the glufosinate-ammonium business as a result of difficult market conditions. In addition, fixed costs increased compared with the previous year due to inflation and, among other things, an insurance payment included in the previous year. The decrease in earnings also led to a decline in the EBITDA margin before special items, which amounted to 19.8% compared to 22.5% in the previous year.

EBITDA for 2024 included special items of –€279 million. These resulted in particular from expenses for provisions, which were recognized due to the announced closure of the German production and formulation plants for glufosinate-ammonium in Knapsack and Frankfurt am Main.

Despite a significant decrease in EBITDA, the segment cash flow was slightly above the previous year’s figure, mainly due to positive effects from a considerable reduction in inventories and a lower increase in receivables.

Agricultural Solutions – sales by region

By location of customer