CALGARY, Alberta -- Agrium Inc. (TSX and NYSE: AGU) announced today consolidated net earnings ("net earnings") of $293-million ($1.85 diluted earnings per share) for the third quarter of 2011, compared with the net earnings of $61-million in the third quarter of 2010 ($0.39 diluted earnings per share).
"Results from our Retail business were particularly strong
this quarter, as we achieved record sales and our second
highest earnings for a third quarter. Agrium's Wholesale
results were also the second highest on record for a third
quarter, due to yet another quarter of excellent margins
supported by strong crop nutrient prices. We expect the
strength in our business to extend through the fall
application season and into 2012, due to the continuation
of tight agricultural fundamentals providing economic
incentive for growers to optimize crop acreage, yields and
crop inputs 1," said Mike Wilson, Agrium President and
CEO.