BASEL, Switzerland, April 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In the first quarter Syngenta achieved strong underlying sales growth after a record year in 2008. Sales increased by 7 percent at constant exchange rates (CER); reported sales were 4 percent lower at $3.6 billion owing to the significant appreciation of the dollar. Crop Protection sales were 8 percent higher (CER) at $2.6 billion. Excluding Professional Products, sales rose by 10 percent with volumes up 2 percent and price realization ahead of target at 8 percent. Sales increased in Europe with a strong performance in Western Europe, notably France; in Eastern Europe growth was led by Russia and Poland. In NAFTA, Syngenta capitalized on its strong market position and saw good growth across all product lines. Second season sales in Latin America were lower owing to drought in Argentina and southern Brazil and to careful risk management. Growth in Asia-Pacific was particularly strong in the emerging markets demonstrating the resilience of the farm economy in these countries and the success of Syngenta's tailored product offer. Product line growth was led by herbicides: selectives performed particularly well in NAFTA and in non-selectives demand for TOUCHDOWN(R) remained strong. Fungicide sales increased with the main season still to come. Insecticides saw a slight decline owing to lower Latin American sales. Seed Care continued its record of double digit growth helped by the registration of CRUISER(R) in France. Professional Products were affected by the impact of the economic environment on the lawn & garden and home care markets. Sales of new products - AVICTA(R), AXIAL(R), DURIVO(R) and REVUS(R) - increased by more than 40 percent demonstrating the continuing willingness of growers to adopt new technology. Seeds sales were 3 percent higher (CER) at $1.1 billion. Corn & soybean sales increased by 7 percent despite delayed planting decisions in the USA and corn acreage contraction in Europe; growth primarily reflected portfolio improvements in corn and price increases. In Diverse Field Crops, sales of sunflower and sugar beet were lower with tight risk management in Eastern Europe. In Vegetables & Flowers, the downturn in consumer purchasing affected flowers but sales overall were slightly higher. For the full year, despite adverse currency effects and ongoing tight risk management, the company continues to target growth in earnings per share. Syngenta is one of the world's leading companies with more than 24,000 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 http://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. Unaudited First Quarter Product Line and Regional Sales 3 Months 3 Months Actual CER(1) Syngenta 2009 2008 % % $m $m Crop Protection 2585 2674 - 3 + 8 Seeds 1054 1127 - 6 + 3 Business Development 1 2 - 73 - 74 Inter-segment - - elimination(2) (18) (14) Third Party Sales 3622 3789 - 4 + 7 Crop Protection Product line Selective herbicides 801 775 + 3 + 17 Non-selective + 8 + 19 herbicides 329 305 Fungicides 722 776 - 7 + 6 Insecticides 355 404 - 12 - 2 Seed Care 257 253 + 2 + 11 Professional Products 110 146 - 25 - 20 Others 11 15 - 24 - 19 Total 2585 2674 - 3 + 8 Regional Europe, Africa and - 12 + 6 Middle East 987 1116 NAFTA 893 790 + 13 + 22 Latin America 288 380 - 24 - 24 Asia Pacific 417 388 + 7 + 20 Total 2585 2674 - 3 + 8 Seeds Product line Corn & Soybean 630 620 + 2 + 7 Diverse Field Crops 149 202 - 26 - 6 Vegetables and Flowers 275 305 - 10 + 1 Total 1054 1127 - 6 + 3 Regional Europe, Africa and - 22 - 4 Middle East 408 525 NAFTA 580 530 + 9 + 10 Latin America 27 33 - 18 - 18 Asia Pacific 39 39 + 1 + 19 Total 1054 1127 - 6 + 3 (1) Growth at constant exchange rates. (2) Crop Protection inter-segment sales to Seeds. Media contact: Medard Schoenmaeckers Switzerland +41 61 323 2323 Analyst/Investor contacts: Jennifer Gough Switzerland +41-61-323 5059 USA +1-202-737-6521 John Hudson Switzerland +41-61-323-6793 USA +1-202-737-6520 DATASOURCE: Syngenta CONTACT: Media, Medard Schoenmaeckers, Switzerland, +41-61-323-2323, or Analysts-Investors, Jennifer Gough, Switzerland, +41-61-323 5059, or USA, +1- 202-737-6521, John Hudson, Switzerland, +41-61-323-6793, or USA, +1-202-737- 6520 Web site: http://www.syngenta.com/

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