04 August 2026, Leverkusen: Bayer reported stronger second-quarter performance in 2026, with its Crop Science division emerging as the company’s best-performing business, supported by higher sales across seeds and crop protection products alongside significant improvements in profitability.
CEO Bill Anderson
The agricultural division recorded sales of €4.91 billion in the second quarter, representing a 3.5% increase on a currency- and portfolio-adjusted basis, while EBITDA before special items surged 30.2% to €902 million. The division’s EBITDA margin improved by 3.9 percentage points to 18.4%, reflecting stronger product sales and ongoing cost-efficiency initiatives under Bayer’s Five-Year Framework.
Growth was led by Bayer’s seed business in North America following the return of the dicamba label in the United States. Soybean Seed & Traits sales increased 16.9%, while Cotton Seed sales climbed 69.2%. In contrast, Corn Seed & Traits declined 2.5%, mainly due to lower North American volumes caused by seasonal sales phasing, although gains in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific partially offset the decline.
Within Crop Protection, Bayer’s glyphosate-based herbicides delivered one of the strongest performances, with sales rising 12.6% due to higher volumes and improved pricing, particularly across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Insecticides portfolio also recorded robust growth of 15.9%, supported by stronger demand and favourable pricing in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific.
According to Bayer, the significant increase in Crop Science earnings was driven by high-margin revenue growth combined with lower production costs achieved through operational efficiency programmes as the company continues implementing its long-term profitability strategy.
At the Group level, Bayer reported second-quarter sales of €10.87 billion, up 2.2% on a currency- and portfolio-adjusted basis, while EBITDA before special items increased 1.9% to €2.14 billion. Net income improved to €219 million, compared with a loss of €199 million in the corresponding period of 2025.
Chief Executive Officer Bill Anderson said Bayer remains on track to achieve its full-year guidance, highlighting progress across all three business divisions and continued execution of the company’s strategic priorities, including operational improvements in Crop Science and efforts to strengthen the balance sheet.
For the first half of 2026, Bayer’s Group sales increased 3.3% on a currency- and portfolio-adjusted basis to €24.28 billion, while EBITDA before special items rose 6.6%. The company maintained its currency-adjusted full-year outlook for all key financial metrics and lowered its projected year-end net financial debt following a previously announced transaction involving its long-acting reversible contraceptives business.
Bayer Key Data, Second Quarter and First Half of 2026
Global Agriculture is an independent international media platform covering agri-business, policy, technology, and sustainability. For editorial collaborations, thought leadership, and strategic communications, write to pr@global-agriculture.com
