Near-term sales pressure for Bayer CropScience but growth may rise in FY19

Growth may pick up in FY19 on new products, normalising of inventory

The Bayer CropScience stock was down 17 per cent over the last month on weak December-quarter (Q3) results, sales growth lagging peers and expensive stock valuations. 

The crop protection and seeds company recorded a 28 per cent fall in sales over the year-ago period in Q3, making it the third quarter in the last four quarters to witness a decline in revenues. In the nine-month year-to-date period ended December, the company reported a 7 per cent fall in revenues, compared to higher single-digit growth peers UPL and Rallis. 

In 2017, the sector was affected by demonetisation, the goods and services