PI Industries’ weak core business keeps investors on edge
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.PI Industries stock has fallen 11% over the past two trading sessions as pressure in its custom synthesis and manufacturing (CSM) business persisted. CSM revenues have now declined year-on-year for five consecutive quarters. The segment, which contributed about 75% of the agrochemicals maker’s FY26 revenue of ₹6,714 crore, saw revenue fall 16% year-on-year.Weak demand and customers’ shift to just-in-time procurement continued to weigh on the CSM business, where revenue declined 15% in the March quarter (Q4FY26), though that marked an improvement from the 32% drop in Q3FY26.Management said the global crop-protection market remains stuck in a prolonged multi-year downturn, resulting in an uneven recovery.
The West Asia conflict has added to disruptions. In the domestic market, elevated channel inventories, weak crop prices following lower acreage under key crops, and uneven rainfall hurt demand. CSM volumes fell 14% in FY26.Management remains hopeful of a revival in agrochemical demand in FY27.
In the domestic market, weather-related uncertainty ahead of the kharif season could be partly offset by higher reservoir levels. While the company did not offer any qualitative revenue-growth guidance, it expects growth to be supported by traction in molecules launched in FY26. It is also banking on its first home-grown new chemical entity, Pioxaniliprole, slated for launch in FY27.Still, caution is warranted.
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