Key Takeaways:
- Bayer’s Crop Science division grew sales by 1.3% to €3.86 billion in Q3 2025, driven by strong global demand for corn seed and traits.
- Corn Seed & Traits sales increased 22.4% year-over-year, supported by higher planted areas in North and Latin America and robust early-season performance.
- Herbicide sales rose 2.8%, fueled by higher volumes of non-glyphosate-based products, while glyphosate products remained stable.
- EBITDA before special items at Crop Science surged nearly five-fold to €172 million, reflecting lower production costs and efficiency program savings.
- Bayer reaffirmed its 2025 guidance, citing continued operational progress and innovation launches such as the Plenexos™ insecticide in Latin America.
Bayer Crop Science Division Leads Earnings Growth for Bayer in Q3 2025
Bayer AG (ETR: BAYN) reported steady progress in the third quarter of 2025, with its Crop Science division driving much of the Group’s earnings improvement. Total company sales reached €9.66 billion, while EBITDA before special items rose 20.8% to €1.51 billion, led by gains in agriculture.
Within Crop Science, sales increased 1.3% on a currency- and portfolio-adjusted basis, totaling €3.858 billion. Despite broader volatility in global agriculture, the division achieved strong growth in its seed portfolio and herbicide business, demonstrating resilience amid dynamic market conditions.
“Our Crop Science business continues to execute its five-year framework with discipline,” said Bill Anderson, CEO of Bayer. “We’re seeing robust performance in corn and encouraging progress from new innovations like Plenexos™ in Latin America.”
Corn Seed & Traits Drives Growth Across Regions
The Corn Seed & Traits segment was a standout performer in Q3, growing 22.4% year-over-year, primarily due to larger planted acreage in North America and a solid start to the season in Latin America. These results underscore the continued global demand for hybrid corn seed technologies and Bayer’s strong market positioning.
The Herbicides segment recorded a 2.8% increase, supported by rising sales of non-glyphosate-based products, while glyphosate product sales were stable compared to the prior year.
However, the Soybean Seed & Traits and Insecticides businesses saw expected declines of 9.6% and 9.3%, respectively, mainly due to regulatory headwinds in the U.S. and softer demand in parts of Europe.
Earnings and Efficiency Improvements Strengthen Margins
EBITDA before special items for the Crop Science division climbed to €172 million, nearly five times higher than the previous year’s third quarter, which is typically a lower-volume period for agriculture. This improvement was driven by reduced cost of goods sold and continued savings from efficiency initiatives, offset slightly by a €21 million negative currency effect.
The division’s EBITDA margin before special items rose by 3.6 percentage points to 4.5%, marking tangible progress toward profitability targets outlined in Bayer’s strategic roadmap.
Innovation and Sustainability Remain Central to Strategy
Bayer continues to invest in its Five-Year Crop Science Framework, prioritizing innovation in pest control, sustainable inputs, and biological solutions. The launch of Plenexos™ insecticide in Latin America exemplifies this focus, addressing resistance management and crop protection needs through advanced chemistry.
The company also emphasized its ongoing Enhanced Efficiency Program, which has streamlined operations and strengthened performance in key markets.
“Our agricultural business continues to demonstrate operational strength and an ability to adapt to changing market dynamics,” said Wolfgang Nickl, CFO of Bayer. “As we head into 2026, innovation and efficiency will remain our main profitability levers.”
Bayer's Outlook: Maintaining Guidance and Advancing Innovation
Bayer reaffirmed its 2025 full-year guidance, citing the resilience of its Crop Science and Pharmaceuticals divisions. Looking ahead, the company expects continued strength in its core agricultural segments, driven by sustained demand for corn seeds, stable herbicide pricing, and an expanding biologicals pipeline.
CFO Nickl commented that while the agricultural market outlook remains dynamic, Bayer is confident in its ability to meet profitability targets through product innovation and disciplined cost control.
The company also highlighted early signs of success from its new Dynamic Shared Ownership operating model, which has improved agility and focus across business units.
“We’re fully focused on delivering innovation to farmers and achieving our long-term profitability goals,” Nickl said. “Bayer’s Crop Science division is positioned to remain a global leader in sustainable and science-driven agriculture.”
Read the complete financial results.
Bayer AG
Bayer AG is a German multinational company specializing in pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. Recognized as one of the largest global players in the sector, Bayer operates across healthcare, agriculture, and life sciences.
With a broad international footprint, the company is involved in the development of innovative products and solutions for medical and agricultural challenges, contributing to human, plant, and environmental health worldwide.
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