Basf's agricultural Division registers fall of 3.4% in 3Q sales

The agricultural Division of the German multinational Basf recorded sales to third parties (according to nomenclature adopted by the company) from 1.018 billion euros in the third quarter of 2014, indentation of 3.4% over the same time last year.
"The seasonal slowdown in the Agricultural Solutions segment in the third quarter was even more pronounced this year," the company said in a statement that accompanied the report, released today. According to Basf, there was an increase in product prices in all regions, but not enough to compensate for the reduction of 4% in volumes sold in the quarter.
Part of the increase in volumes sold derives from the good performance in Asia and South America. In Brazil, the highlight was the "particularly good development" of two brands of pesticides, as a fungicide and a herbicide, the company said.
The earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Ebitda) of Division totaled 93 million euros in the third quarter of 2014, low of 56% compared to the same range as the previous year.
Year to date through September, the agricultural arm of Basf registers a turnover of 4.337 billion euros, a level similar to that of the same period in 2013. Ebitda, in turn, reaches 1.121 billion euros, down 11.5% from January to September last year.