From WATTAgNet:

Syngenta’s first quarter sales were lower than expected, after the Swiss crop chemical manufacturer took a hit from low commodity prices, a strong dollar and a prolonged U.S. winter.

Syngenta’s sales for the first quarter were $4 billion, down 14 percent from last year, and lower than the $4.3 billion forecast.

Integrated sales of $3.8 billion rose 1 percent at constant exchange rates. Volumes were 7 percent lower, and prices were 8 percent higher.

In Europe, Africa and the Middle East, sales were up 15 percent. In North America, sales were 16 percent lower. Excluding glyphosate, where a deliberate reduction is under way, sales were 13 percent lower. Sales in Latin America were 11 percent lower.

Corn prices fell 15 percent in 2014, and nearly 40 percent in 2013, causing farmers to scrutinize their spending and putting pressure on companies like Syngenta. However, Syngenta maintained its full-year targets and its longer-term target for 2018.

Syngenta faces legal issues in the United States, where Cargill, Archer Daniels Midland and hundreds of farmers sued it for damages stemming from China’s rejection of genetically modified U.S. corn. The case is expected to last several years, but Syngenta executives say their defense in the case is strong.