Bayer, MustGrow Biologics, and Nutrien: Feeding the World Means Leading the Future of Agriculture

Bayer: Half-Year Results

Bayer's half-year results show that operations are largely proceeding according to plan. However, financial flexibility remains limited due to legacy burdens. Revenue rose 3% on a currency-adjusted basis to EUR 24.3 billion, and EBITDA before special items improved by 7% to EUR 6.6 billion. Free cash flow, on the other hand, remained negative at minus EUR 2.7 billion, primarily weighed down by EUR 2.5 billion in settlement payments related to the glyphosate litigation. Net debt increased to EUR 33.6 billion. Nevertheless, Bayer was able to gain additional financial flexibility through the planned Apollo investment of over EUR 3 billion and a bond placement of USD 5 billion.

With a 5.5% increase in revenue in the first half of the year, the Crop Science division remains the clear growth driver. The EBITDA margin rose to 31%, supported by a favourable product mix and higher licensing revenues. In the second quarter, the division grew by 4% to EUR 4.9 billion, driven by Seeds and Traits, particularly soybeans, which grew by 17%, as well as higher glyphosate sales. However, the traditional crop protection business remains weak. Core Crop Protection saw a 5% decline in revenue in the first half of the year, weighed down by generic competition and lower prices. Although a recovery in volumes is expected in the second half, the revenue mix is likely to be driven by lower-margin products. The US glyphosate business is to be spun off into a standalone unit called Ruveon, thereby providing greater flexibility.

In the pharmaceuticals segment, revenue stagnated in the first half of the year with an EBITDA margin of 26%. Declines in Xarelto and Eylea were partially offset by Nubeqa and Kerendia, which together achieved 66% growth. On a positive note, the 8-mg formulation now accounts for half of Eylea's revenue. With Priority Review for asundexian in the US and China, as well as the acquisition of Perfuse Therapeutics, Bayer aims to prepare for the next wave of products. However, significant contributions to earnings are not expected until the medium term. The Consumer Health segment grew by 3.5%, but margins remained below the previous year's level. Bayer must now demonstrate whether its new pharmaceutical products can offset patent expirations in the medium term and whether its financial restructuring is progressing as litigation is resolved.

MustGrow Biologics: Focusing on In-House Developments

MustGrow Biologics has evolved from a pure technology developer into an operational agricultural brand with its own product portfolio. The mustard-derived solutions for biofertility, crop protection, and regenerative agriculture target a market that is coming under increasing regulatory pressure. These regulations are forcing farmers to turn to sustainable alternatives. The strategic decision to close its Canadian marketing and distribution division, NexusBioAg, in April, which sold third-party products, underscores the company's new focus on advancing its own innovations with significantly better margins. The partnership with Bayer for the pre-registered biopesticide candidate TerraMG™ opens up international markets in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) without requiring the company to establish its own sales structures there.

The biological soil fertility product TerraSante™ is no longer just a pilot project. It is approved in 10 US states, including California, Texas, Georgia, and Florida, and is enjoying growing demand. Last year, the company was at times unable to fulfill orders because its warehouses were completely depleted. Organic certification attests to the product's quality, and farmers report improved soil health and more efficient nutrient uptake. Production at contract manufacturers in Asia has shifted from batch-by-batch to larger and more continuous production volumes. This step is expected to significantly increase both delivery capacity and margins. At the same time, MustGrow is developing TerraMG™, another product for organic crop protection, which offers additional potential in the medium term.

The global trend toward organic and regenerative farming methods is gaining momentum, and MustGrow Biologics is ideally positioned to capitalize on this with its asset-light model. TerraSante™ can be scaled up without tying up significant capital, which generates significant operating leverage as sales volumes increase. Thanks to the latest financing round in June totaling approximately CAD 3.74 million, sufficient working capital is also available. The annual general meeting on June 25 confirmed the strategic direction with overwhelming approval. With a clear roadmap for market penetration and production optimization, MustGrow appears to be on a promising path toward sustainable profitability.

Nutrien: Mixed Results

Nutrien reported mixed results in the second quarter. With adjusted earnings of USD 2.61 per share, the fertilizer giant fell short of analysts' expectations by USD 0.11. Revenue came in higher than expected at USD 10.81 billion, which is USD 420 million above estimates, representing a 3.5% increase year-over-year. While net income declined slightly during the quarter, the figures for the first half of the year are stronger. Higher international fertilizer prices and record sales in the potash segment, in particular, drove revenue up 8% to just under USD 17 billion.

The potash business remains the growth driver. First-half revenue rose by 14%, and adjusted EBITDA increased by 15%. Overseas sales picked up, while North America recorded slight declines. In the retail segment, the company's own-brand products, with their high margins, are increasingly taking center stage and contributed 30% to the product margin in the first half of the year. The nitrogen segment benefited from lower gas costs but reported lower sales volumes due to maintenance work. Only the phosphate business remains a problem child with a negative gross margin.

In the first half of the year, the Group returned USD 848 million to shareholders through share buybacks and dividends. At the same time, the Group is pressing ahead with the streamlining of its portfolio. Since June, assets worth approximately USD 90 million have been sold. Capital expenditures are being managed more cautiously. Debt rose to just under USD 10.9 billion due to new bond issuances. Going forward, it will be crucial whether Nutrien can translate its strength in the potash business into higher free cash flows.

Food security remains the key driver for the agricultural market. Bayer is strengthening its operational foundation with its Crop Science division, but the legacy issues related to glyphosate persist. MustGrow Biologics has evolved from a developer into an operational brand offering scalable biological solutions, thereby addressing a market under regulatory pressure. Nutrien excels in the potash business but is struggling to translate this strength into free cash flow.