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 2010
 
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 2010 Sales”

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 contact:
 
Médard Schoenmaeckers
Switzerland       +41 61 323 2323
 
 
Analyst/Investor contact:
 
Jennifer Gough
Switzerland      +41 61 323 5059
USA                  +1 202 737 6521
 
 
 
 
Basel, Switzerland, October 14, 2010

Third Quarter 2010 Sales

 
·  
Sales up 11 percent at constant exchange rates
 
·  
Crop Protection: growth across all product lines, all regions
 
·  
Continuing strong performance in Latin America
 
·  
Upturn in Northern hemisphere markets
 
·  
Technology success in Seeds
 
·  
Full year guidance maintained
 
 
Sales in the third quarter of 2010 increased by 11 percent at constant exchange rates; reported sales were 10 percent higher at $2.2 billion.  In the first nine months of the year, sales were up 1 percent at constant exchange rates at $8.9 billion.

In Crop Protection, third quarter sales volume increased by 18 percent, with strong growth across all product lines and all regions.  Prices were 7 percent lower and 5 percent lower excluding glyphosate, an improved performance compared with the second quarter.  In Europe, growth in most major markets was driven by Herbicides and by Seed Care.  NAFTA saw sustained volume momentum across the portfolio, more than offsetting lower prices notably for glyphosate.  Latin America continued to deliver an excellent performance, particularly in Argentina where sales were up by more than 40 percent.  In Brazil, moisture levels improved towards the end of September resulting in a good start to planting.  Growth in Asia-Pacific accelerated, driven by the emerging markets.

Growth in Selective Herbicides was led by CALLISTO® in North America and by sales on oilseed rape in Europe.  Modest growth in Non-selective Herbicides was due largely to strong volume growth in TOUCHDOWN® in the Americas, more than offsetting price weakness.  Fungicide growth was led by AMISTAR® in Latin America, where sales were up by more than 50 percent.  Growth in Insecticides was driven by ACTARA® and DURIVO®.  Seed Care sales improved with a strong performance by CRUISER® in Europe and Latin America.  In Professional Products, turf and ornamentals showed a recovery in an improved economic environment.

Combined sales of new products reached $338 million in the first nine months of the year, an increase of 16 percent.  The main drivers were DURIVO® and REVUS®, which are being launched in additional markets.
 
 
Syngenta – October 14, 2010 / Page 1 of 4
 
Seeds sales increased by 12 percent in the third quarter.  Volume increased by 4 percent and prices were 8 percent higher.  Sales of Corn & Soybean were up by more than 20 percent led by the USA, reflecting a positive market reaction to an enhanced portfolio.  Sales of Diverse Field Crops increased slightly due to the consolidation of the recent sunflower acquisition.  Vegetables showed double digit growth in all regions reflecting the breadth of the range and expansion into emerging markets.

Mike Mack, Chief Executive Officer, said:

“The third quarter performance confirms our expectation of continuing positive volume momentum in the second half of 2010.  This, coupled with careful control of costs and increasing profitability in Seeds, should allow us to achieve full year operating income around last year’s level.  As we look ahead to 2011, we are in a strong position to capture value from improving conditions in the crop protection market and from the significant advances in our Seeds technology.”
 
Syngenta is one of the world's leading companies with more than 25,000 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, 2010 / Page 2 of 4
 
 
Unaudited Third Quarter Product Line and Regional Sales

Syngenta
    
Q3 2010
$m
      
Q3 2009
$m
    
Actual
%
    
CER(1)
%
  
Crop Protection
     1763       1609       + 10       + 11  
Seeds
     442       406       + 9       + 12  
Business Development
     3       2    
na
    
na
  
Inter-segment elimination(2)
     - 9       - 17       -       -  
Total
     2199       2000       + 10       + 11  
                                 
Crop Protection
                                
Product line
                                
Selective Herbicides
     302       272       + 11       + 15  
Non-selective Herbicides
     276       270       + 2       + 2  
Fungicides
     503       454       + 11       + 11  
Insecticides
     337       322       + 5       + 5  
Seed Care
     202       186       + 9       + 13  
Professional Products
     97       92       + 7       + 5  
Others
     46       13    
na
    
na
  
Total
     1763       1609       + 10       + 11  
Regional
                                
Europe, Africa and Middle East
     422       402       + 5       + 14  
NAFTA
     424       404       + 5       + 4  
Latin America
     590       515       + 15       + 15  
Asia Pacific
     327       288       + 13       + 9  
Total
     1763       1609       + 10       + 11  
                                 
Seeds
                                
Product line
                                
Corn & Soybean
     154       126       + 23       + 22  
Diverse Field Crops
     68       70       - 3       + 2  
Vegetables
     156       139       + 12       + 15  
Flowers
     64       71       - 9       - 4  
Total
     442       406       + 9       + 12  
Regional
                                
Europe, Africa and Middle East
     158       159       -       + 8  
NAFTA
     122       94       + 31       + 31  
Latin America
     112       115       - 3       - 3  
Asia Pacific
     50       38       + 31       + 26  
Total
     442       406       + 9       + 12  
 
(1)  
Growth at constant exchange rates.
 
(2)  
Crop Protection inter-segment sales to Seeds.
 
 
Syngenta – October 14, 2010 / Page 3 of 4
 
 
Unaudited Nine Months Product Line and Regional Sales
 
Syngenta
  
9 months 2010
$m
    
9 months 2009
$m
    
Actual
%
    
CER(1)
%
  
Crop Protection
     6759       6609       + 2       -  
Seeds
     2205       2082       + 6       + 4  
Business Development
     8       7    
na
    
na
  
Inter-segment elimination(2)
     - 33       - 43       -       -  
Total
     8939       8655       + 3       + 1  
                                 
Crop Protection
                                
Product line
                                
Selective Herbicides
     1922       1887       + 2       - 2  
Non-selective Herbicides
     824       961       - 14       - 17  
Fungicides
     1991       1810       + 10       + 7  
Insecticides
     1037       995       + 4       + 2  
Seed Care
     571       578       - 1       - 2  
Professional Products
     339       317       + 7       + 4  
Others
     75       61    
na
    
na
  
Total
     6759       6609       + 2       -  
Regional
                                
Europe, Africa and Middle East
     2212       2212       -       - 2  
NAFTA
     2086       2286       - 9       - 12  
Latin America
     1300       1065       + 22       + 22  
Asia Pacific
     1161       1046       + 11       + 4  
Total
     6759       6609       + 2       -  
                                 
Seeds
                                
Product line
                                
Corn & Soybean
     960       969       - 1       - 3  
Diverse Field Crops
     454       374       + 21       + 16  
Vegetables
     516       461       + 12       + 11  
Flowers
     275       278       - 1       - 2  
Total
     2205       2082       + 6       + 4  
Regional
                                
Europe, Africa and Middle East
     920       818       + 12       + 9  
NAFTA
     948       974       - 3       - 3  
Latin America
     174       156       + 11       + 11  
Asia Pacific
     163       134       + 22       + 15  
Total
     2205       2082       + 6       + 4  
 
(1)  
Growth at constant exchange rates.
 
(2)  
Crop Protection inter-segment sales to Seeds.

 
Syngenta – October 14, 2010 / 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, 2010
  
By:
/s/ Tobias Meili
  
       
Name:
Tobias Meili
  
        Title: Head Corporate Legal Affairs  
             
             
             
     
By:
/s/ Brigitte Benz
  
       
Name:
Brigitte Benz
  
     
 
Title:
Deputy Head Shareholder Services & Group Administration