The $11.6-billion global leader in crop protection Syngenta International is restructuring its operations. Last week, the company announced a new strategic direction that will see full integration of crop protection and seeds businesses by the end of 2012.

“The objective is to think like a grower, improve innovation and integrate at a scale with the ambition of helping greater food security,” asserted a company spokesman.

The new strategy that seeks to deliver superior customer and shareholder value will make a fully integrated offer on a global crop basis with the three main objectives of integrate, innovate and outperform, the spokesman pointed out adding that commercial integration of crop protection and seeds businesses is expected to result in cost savings of $150 million by 2015.

As for innovation, the company proposes to develop an expanded crop-based pipeline by bringing together R&D in crop protection and seeds to generate combined genetic and chemical solutions which will also address a biotic stress.

In recent years, Syngenta's expansion has been particularly rapid in emerging markets which now account for almost 50 per cent of sales.

In Asia-Pacific, demand was sustained throughout last year particularly in emerging markets where growers continued to invest to improve yields, the company pointed out.

Population growth and dietary changes in emerging markets will provide a solid platform for future success, the company asserts.

comment COMMENT NOW