Bayer agchem sales advance 3% in Q2

Bayer CropScience’s crop protection sales rose by 2.8% to €1,562 million ($2,209 million at the current rate), in the second quarter of 2011. Sales increased by 8.6% after portfolio and currency adjustments. Growth was led by fungicides and seed treatments, while the insecticide business fell with the phase-out or loss of older products. Seed and trait sales continued to grow strongly. A generally good season in the northern hemisphere and a “favourable” market environment compared with the same period last year boosted business, Bayer group chief executive officer Dr Marijn Dekkers says.