26 Apr 2013 --- BASF increased its sales and income from operations (EBIT) before special items in the first quarter of 2013. At €19.7 billion, sales exceeded the level of the previous first quarter by 5%. Sales volumes grew particularly as a result of intensified demand for crop protection products and increased volumes in the Oil & Gas segment. EBIT before special items rose by 10% to €2.2 billion.