6-K


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 April 2005

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: First Quarter Trading Statement 2005

Filed herewith is a press release related to Syngenta AG. The full text of the press release follows:

# # #





Item 1       

 

Syngenta International AG
Media Office
CH-4002 Basel
Switzerland
Telephone: +41 61 323 23 23
Fax:            +41 61 323 24 24
www.syngenta.com
   
   Media Release

First Quarter Trading Statement 2005


Basel, Switzerland, 26 April 2005

Sales in the first quarter of 2005 increased by 24% to $2.85 billion, benefiting from the contribution of US Seeds acquisitions and the alignment of sales closer to consumption. At constant exchange rates (CER) sales rose 19%.

In Crop Protection, sales were 4% higher (CER) driven by early demand in NAFTA and a good underlying performance in Asia Pacific, notably Japan. In Europe, a late start to the season led to slightly lower sales. In Latin America, a strong finish to the season in Argentina offset lower sales in Brazil in comparison with a very strong first quarter in 2004.

Growth was particularly robust in fungicides. Insecticides also performed well in all regions. In herbicides, lower sales in Europe offset growth in NAFTA. Professional Products once again grew strongly, driven by the continued success of Seed Treatment.

Seeds sales increased 70% (CER). Excluding the effect of acquisitions, sales rose 15% (CER). Underlying growth was strong in Field Crops in both NAFTA and Europe. Sales of Vegetables and Flowers were slightly lower, notably in Europe, due to the late start to the season.

For the full year 2005, the company remains committed to deliver high teens growth in earnings per share*.

*Fully diluted, before restructuring, impairment and IFRS 3 adjustment

Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology. The company is a leader in crop protection, and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in 2004 were approximately $7.3 billion. Syngenta employs some 19,000 people in over 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York (SYT). Further information is available at www.syngenta.com.

Media Enquiries:   Switzerland:   Markus Payer   Tel: +41 (61) 323 2323
  USA:   Sarah Hull   Tel: +1 (202) 347 8348
 
Analysts/Investors:   Switzerland:   Jonathan Seabrook   Tel: +41 (61) 323 7502
    Jennifer Gough   Tel: +41 (61) 323 5059
  USA:   Rhonda Chiger   Tel: +1 (917) 322 2569

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 therefor.

Syngenta – 26 April 2005 / Page 1 of 2





Unaudited First Quarter Product Line and Regional Sales  
 
1 st Quarter 2005   1 st Quarter 2004   Actual (1)   CER(1)(2)
 Syngenta $m   $m   %   %
     
           Crop Protection 1926   1775   +8   +4
           Seeds 921   525   +76   +70
           Total 2847   2300   +24   +19
 
 Crop Protection      
 Product line      
           Selective herbicides 615   617   -   - 5
           Non-selective herbicides 163   171   - 5   - 7
           Fungicides 596   499   +19   +14
           Insecticides 305   278   +11   +7
           Professional products 222   197   +11   +8
           Others 25   13   +89   +82
           Total 1926   1775   +8   +4
 Regional      
           Europe, Africa and Middle East 816   772   +6   - 2
           NAFTA 627   556   +13   +11
           Latin America 192   189   +1   +1
           Asia Pacific 291   258   +13   +9
           Total 1926   1775   +8   +4
 
 Seeds      
 Product line      
           Field Crops 729   336   +117   +111
           Vegetables and Flowers 192   189   +1   - 3
           Total 921   525   +76   +70
 Regional      
           Europe, Africa and Middle East 359   314   +14   +6
           NAFTA 531   188   +183   +182
           Latin America 12   7   +65   +65
           Asia Pacific 19   16   +23   +17
           Total 921   525   +76   +70

(1)      Product line variances take into account minor reclassifications made in 2005
 
(2)      Growth at constant exchange rates
 

Syngenta – 26 April 2005 / Page 2 of 2

 



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: April 26, 2005 By: /s/ Damian Heller 
     
      Name: Damian Heller
      Title: Company Secretary
         
         
    By: /s/ Christoph Mäder 
     
      Name: Christoph Mäder
      Title: General Counsel