FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Report of Foreign Issuer

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


For the month of October 2011

Commission File Number: 001-15152


SYNGENTA AG
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

Schwarzwaldallee 215
4058 Basel
Switzerland
(Address of principal executive offices)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:

Form 20-F
X
  
Form 40-F
  

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):

Yes
    
No
X

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):

Yes
    
No
X

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the Registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

Yes
    
No
X

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): N/A
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Re:                                SYNGENTA AG

Press Release:
"Third Quarter 2011: sales up 21 percent at $2.7 billion”

Herewith we furnish a press release related to Syngenta AG. The full text of the press release is the following:
# # #

 
 
 
 
Syngenta International AG
 
Media Office
CH-4002 Basel
Switzerland
Tel:+41 61 323 23 23
Fax:+41 61 323 24 24
 
www.syngenta.com
Media contacts:
 
Médard Schoenmaeckers
Switzerland       +41 61 323 2323
 
Michael Edmond  Isaac
Switzerland       +41 61 323 2323
Analyst/Investor contacts:
 
Jennifer Gough
Switzerland       +41 61 323 5059
USA                  +1 202 737 6521
 
Claire Hinshelwood
Switzerland       +41 61 323 7812
USA                  +1 202 737 6520
 


Basel, Switzerland, October 14, 2011

Third Quarter 2011: sales up 21 percent at $2.7 billion
 
·  
Sales at constant exchange rates up 16 percent
 
·  
Good start to Latin American season
 
·  
Continued Northern hemisphere momentum
 
·  
Crop Protection prices up 3 percent
 

Sales in the third quarter of 2011 increased by 16 percent at constant exchange rates. Volume expanded by 13 percent, representing the sixth consecutive quarter of double digit growth, and prices rose 3 percent. In the first nine months of the year, sales were up 13 percent at constant exchange rates at $10.4 billion.

Integrated Crop Protection and Seeds performance*

In Latin America, our leading offers enabled growth of 27 percent across the portfolio. A robust soybean crop price and the expectation of lower production in the USA are leading to increased investment by soybean growers in Brazil and Argentina. Corn sales were also up strongly with rapid adoption of both herbicides and traits. In Europe, Africa and the Middle East, sales increased by 10 percent led by France and the CIS. Expansion of the range is reinforcing our market-leading positions in both Russia and Ukraine. In North America, sales increased by 10 percent with broad-based volume growth in crop protection and slightly higher pricing. Seeds sales in the low season included normalized end-of-season rebates which compared with a positive adjustment in the third quarter of 2010. In Asia Pacific, where sales increased by 13 percent, robust growth in crop protection more than offset higher seeds returns in South East Asia.

Product line sales*

Strong growth in Selective Herbicides was driven by Latin America and by early orders in the USA, where solutions for weed resistance in corn and soybean are increasingly in demand. Non-selective Herbicides sales increased reflecting higher TOUCHDOWN® sales in Latin America and the expansion of REGLONE® in the CIS. In Fungicides, the largest contribution came from the rapid expansion of usage in the emerging markets of Asia Pacific; in the USA, recognition of crop enhancement effects led to strong growth. Insecticides growth was led by
 
Syngenta – October 14, 2011 / Page 1 of 4
 
 
 
 
ACTARA® and by the DURIVO® family, which is expanding rapidly in Latin America and is now launched on vegetables in China. Sales of Professional Products increased by 4 percent, with market share gains in Asia Pacific and in the consumer segment in Europe.

Combined sales of new Crop Protection products reached $484 million in the first nine months, an increase of 39 percent.

Growth in Corn & Soybean seeds was driven by Latin America, where investment in corn is increasing and we are seeing strong acceptance of our enhanced portfolio, including the VIPTERA™ trait. Sales of soybean seeds in Latin America more than doubled with the launch of new varieties and integrated solutions. Diverse Field Crops continued to show strong growth driven by sunflower in Argentina, with the acquisition of Maribo in sugar beet contributing 2 percent. Vegetables continued their track record of strong growth with expansion in all key crops.

Mike Mack, Chief Executive Officer, said: “In the third quarter of 2011, positive volume momentum continued and crop protection pricing improved as a result of the actions we have implemented. Our performance reflects the breadth of our portfolio, augmented by rapid growth in new crop protection products and the expansion of our corn trait coverage. In addition we expect the launch of integrated offers, such as our solutions for soybean in Latin America, to further reinforce our market positions.

“For the full year we expect substantial top line growth, higher profitability at constant exchange rates and a significant increase in free cash flow.”

 
*Growth at constant exchange rates


Syngenta is one of the world's leading companies with more than 26,000 employees in over 90 countries dedicated to our purpose: Bringing plant potential to life. Through world-class science, global reach and commitment to our customers we help to increase crop productivity, protect the environment and improve health and quality of life. For more information about us please go to www.syngenta.com.
 
 
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
 
This document contains forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as ‘expect’, ‘would’, ‘will’, ‘potential’, ‘plans’, ‘prospects’, ‘estimated’, ‘aiming’, ‘on track’ and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. We refer you to Syngenta's publicly available filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for information about these and other risks and uncertainties. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions or other factors. This document does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer, to purchase or subscribe for any ordinary shares in Syngenta AG, or Syngenta ADSs, nor shall it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract therefore.
 
 
 
 
Syngenta – October 14, 2011 / Page 2 of 4
 
 
 
 
Unaudited Third Quarter Product Line and Regional Sales

                         
Syngenta
     Q3 2011       Q3 2010    
Actual
    
CER
  
    $m       $m    
%
    
%
  
Crop Protection
     2176       1763       + 23       + 19  
Seeds
     500       442       + 13       + 8  
Business Development
     0       3       n/a       n/a  
Inter-segment elimination
     -13       -9       n/a       n/a  
Total
     2663       2199       + 21       + 16  
                                 
Crop Protection
                                
Product line
                                
Selective herbicides
     453       302       + 50       + 43  
Non-selective herbicides
     321       276       + 17       + 13  
Fungicides
     565       503       + 12       + 9  
Insecticides
     436       337       + 29       + 26  
Seed Care
     256       202       + 27       + 20  
Professional products
     108       97       + 10       + 4  
Others
     37       46       - 18       - 21  
Total
     2176       1763       + 23       + 19  
Regional(1)
                                
Europe, Africa and Middle East
     530       419       + 26       + 14  
North America
     467       381       + 23       + 21  
Latin America
     776       636       + 22       + 21  
Asia Pacific
     403       327       + 23       + 16  
Total
     2176       1763       + 23       + 19  
                                 
Seeds
                                
Product line
                                
Corn & Soybean
     175       154       + 14       + 13  
Diverse Field Crops
     84       68       + 25       + 15  
Vegetables
     174       156       + 11       + 6  
Flowers
     67       64       + 4       - 4  
Total
     500       442       + 13       + 8  
Regional(1)
                                
Europe, Africa and Middle East
     178       158       + 13       + 2  
North America
     85       116       - 27       - 27  
Latin America
     187       118       + 60       + 59  
Asia Pacific
     50       50       - 2       - 7  
Total
     500       442       + 13       + 8  
(1) Mexico sales reported in Latin America (previously NAFTA).
                  
 
Syngenta – October 14, 2011 / Page 3 of 4
 
 
 

Unaudited Nine Months Product Line and Regional Sales

                         
Syngenta
  
9 months 2011
    
9 months 2010
    
Actual
    
CER
  
    $m       $m    
%
    
%
  
Crop Protection
     7810       6759       + 16       + 12  
Seeds
     2592       2205       + 18       + 15  
Business Development
     1       8       n/a       n/a  
Inter-segment elimination
     -38       -33       n/a       n/a  
Total
     10365       8939       + 16       + 13  
                                 
Crop Protection
                                
Product line
                                
Selective herbicides
     2200       1922       + 14       + 11  
Non-selective herbicides
     886       824       + 8       + 4  
Fungicides
     2294       1991       + 15       + 12  
Insecticides
     1294       1037       + 25       + 21  
Seed Care
     686       571       + 20       + 15  
Professional products
     375       339       + 11       + 5  
Others
     75       75       -       - 4  
Total
     7810       6759       + 16       + 12  
Regional(1)
                                
Europe, Africa and Middle  East
     2682       2204       + 22       + 16  
North America
     2035       1925       + 6       + 4  
Latin America
     1731       1469       + 18       + 17  
Asia Pacific
     1362       1161       + 17       + 11  
Total
     7810       6759       + 16       + 12  
                                 
Seeds
                                
Product line
                                
Corn & Soybean
     1136       960       + 18       + 18  
Diverse Field Crops
     599       454       + 32       + 29  
Vegetables
     572       516       + 11       + 7  
Flowers
     285       275       + 4       -  
Total
     2592       2205       + 18       + 15  
Regional(1)
                                
Europe, Africa and Middle East
     1130       920       + 23       + 19  
North America
     996       927       + 7       + 7  
Latin America
     292       195       + 50       + 49  
Asia Pacific
     174       163       + 6       + 3  
Total
     2592       2205       + 18       + 15  
(1) Mexico sales reported in Latin America (previously NAFTA).
                  
 
Syngenta – October 14, 2011 / Page 4 of 4
 
 
 

 
SIGNATURES

 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
   
SYNGENTA AG
 
  
Date:
October 14, 2011
  
By:
/s/ Tobias Meili
  
       
Name:
Dr. Tobias Meili
  
        Title: Head Corporate Legal Affairs  
             
             
             
             
     
By:
/s/ Brigitte Benz
  
       
  Name:
Brigitte Benz
  
     
 
  Title:
Head Shareholder Services