Moody’s Investor Services has announced that it has upgraded Syngenta’s long-term credit rating from Baa1 to A3.

Domenico Scala, Syngenta’s CFO, commented: "This upgrade recognizes the significant strengthening of Syngenta’s balance sheet since the company’s formation in 2000 as well as the ability to generate strong cash flow.” He added “Moody’s has also acknowledged our successful merger, rapid de-leveraging and improved business performance and quality”.

Standard & Poor’s long-term credit rating for Syngenta is A-.

Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness. The company is a leader in crop protection and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in 2002 were approximately US $6.2 billion. Syngenta employs some 20,000 people in over 90 countries. The company is committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in London (SYA), New York (SYT) and Stockholm (SYN).