Nufarm Limited provided earnings guidance for the first half ended January 31, 2014. The company confirmed that it expects to generate a first half result within the previous guidance range provided at the AGM in early December 2013 of EBIT AUD 50 million to AUD 60 million, albeit towards the lower end of that range. Unfavourable seasonal conditions persisted in Australia during December and January with hot and dry weather in key growing regions.

This has resulted in unusually low sales activity and depressed margins. The first half performance of Australia is broadly expected to be in line with the first half of the previous year. Management continues to assess options for improving the profitability of the Australian business and the returns generated during periods of unfavourable climatic conditions.