The Exel Group, owner of major crop sprayer companies Hardi, Berthoud and Tecnoma, has recovered ground lost during the worldwide economic downturn to post record sales for its agricultural division equivalent to $475 million.

This figure beats the previous record of $468 million set at the height of the farm equipment sales boom in 2008 and represents 70% of Exel Group’s record $678 million revenues for the period.

Exel chief executive officer Guerric Ballu says…