Corteva tops profit estimates on strong seed, crop protection demand (updated)

Corteva

05/05/2026 21:42

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May 5 (Reuters) - U.S. agriscience company Corteva CTVA.N beat profit estimates for the first quarter on Tuesday, benefiting from strong demand in its seeds and crop protection segments.

Crop prices were mixed during the quarter, with soybeans and corn rebounding on tighter U.S. planting expectations, supporting farm incomes and spending on agricultural inputs, benefiting suppliers including Corteva.

Quarterly net sales in Corteva's seeds segment rose 12% to $3.02 billion compared to last year, while the crop protection segment's net sales were up 10% at $1.88 billion.

Seed sales benefited from favorable currency effects and higher volumes in North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), driven by timing shifts and supportive northern hemisphere weather. Currency tailwinds also helped sales in the crop protection segment, which recorded improved volumes.

"We expect the net impact from geopolitical and trade developments on our full-year results to be manageable within our current guide, and underlying demand is expected to remain resilient," the company said in a statement.

Corteva last year said it would split its seed and crop-protection businesses into two publicly traded companies. After tapping former Albemarle ALB.N CEO Luke Kissam to lead the future crop protection unit in April, the company said on Monday its seed and genetics business would be branded Vylor.

    The company reaffirmed its full-year operating core profit guidance of $4 billion to $4.2 billion and operating profit outlook of $3.45 per share to $3.70 per share.

First-quarter net sales rose 11% to $4.91 billion from a year earlier.

Quarterly adjusted profit came in at $1.50 per share. Analysts on average had expected $1.17 per share, according to data compiled by LSEG.

(Reporting by Sumit Saha in Bengaluru; Editing by Jonathan Ananda)

((Sumit.Saha@thomsonreuters.com;))