Crop sprayer manufacturer Exel Industries has reported some easing of the sharpest drop in sales it has experienced since 1991. Revenues from sprayer sales in the group’s March-to-May third quarter were still off 6.4%, but look more encouraging than the 17% rolling shortfall for the 12 months to the end of May.

Some improvement in the figures was anticipated for the agricultural sprayer sector — which encompasses international players such as Berthoud, Hardi and Tecnoma…