Syngenta ups earnings forecast

SYNGENTA, THE world‘s largest agrochemicals company, has followed DuPont by increasing its earnings forecasts for the year.

First-quarter sales improved 15% to $2.3bn (£1.3bn), with crop protection sales up 7% and seeds up 11%.

The firm said a weak US Dollar and continuing signs of a worldwide stabilisation in agricultural markets had helped increased demand for its products after a five-year downturn.