Archer-Daniels-Midland (ADM) 10-Q 5 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Oct. 31, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND CO	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000007084	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	643,787,556

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Ear

Consolidated Statements Of Earnings (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$18,117	$21,393	$60,307	$65,661
Cost of products sold	16,647	20,237	56,990	62,942
Gross Profit	1,470	1,156	3,317	2,719
Selling, general, and administrative expenses	451	429	1,270	1,317
Asset impairment, exit, and restructuring costs	0	23	31	23
Interest expense	79	105	251	318
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	-21	-63	-231	-262
Interest income	-16	-12	-62	-68
Other (income) expense - net	-56	-35	-76	-10
Earnings Before Income Taxes	1,033	709	2,134	1,401
Income taxes	285	228	586	424
Net earnings including noncontrolling interests	748	481	1,548	977
Less: Net earnings (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1	5	1	9
Net Earnings Attributable to Controlling Interests	$747	$476	$1,547	$968
Average number of shares outstanding - basic	650	661	655	661
Average number of shares outstanding - diluted	653	664	658	663
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$1.15	$0.72	$2.36	$1.46
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$1.14	$0.72	$2.35	$1.46
Dividends per common share	$0.24	$0.19	$0.72	$0.57

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net earnings including noncontrolling interests	$748	$481	$1,548	$977
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment, before tax	-462	225	-462	-1
Pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities adjustment, before tax	14	10	24	45
Deferred gain (loss) on hedging activities, before tax	59	16	32	18
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, before tax	10	3	3	2
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment, tax effect	7	0	8	2
Pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities adjustment, tax effect	-4	-4	-7	-16
Deferred gain (loss) on hedging activities, tax effect	-23	-7	-13	-7
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, tax effect	0	-3	3	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'	'	'	'
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	-455	225	-454	1
Pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities adjustment, net of tax	10	6	17	29
Deferred gain (loss) on hedging activities, net of tax	36	9	19	11
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax	10	0	6	2
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-399	240	-412	43
Comprehensive income (loss) including noncontrolling interests	349	721	1,136	1,020
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1	5	1	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to controlling interests	$348	$716	$1,135	$1,020

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$4,539	$3,121
Short-term marketable securities	348	433
Segregated cash and investments	4,751	3,961
Trade receivables	2,121	3,224
Inventories	8,034	11,441
Other current assets	6,846	6,350
Total Current Assets	26,639	28,530
Investments and Other Assets	'	'
Investments in and advances to affiliates	3,513	3,340
Long-term marketable securities	518	508
Goodwill and other intangible assets	732	759
Other assets	424	478
Total Investments and Other Assets	5,187	5,085
Property, Plant, and Equipment	'	'
Land	409	408
Buildings	4,876	4,877
Machinery and equipment	17,488	17,472
Construction in progress	882	773
Gross Property, Plant, and Equipment	23,655	23,530
Accumulated depreciation	-13,660	-13,393
Net Property, Plant, and Equipment	9,995	10,137
Total Assets	41,821	43,752
Current Liabilities	'	'
Short-term debt	177	358
Trade payables	3,134	4,513
Payables to Brokerage Customers	5,745	4,832
Accrued expenses and other payables	4,677	4,790
Current maturities of long-term debt	18	1,165
Total Current Liabilities	13,751	15,658
Long-Term Liabilities	'	'
Long-term debt	5,346	5,347
Deferred income taxes	1,522	1,448
Other	941	1,105
Total Long-Term Liabilities	7,809	7,900
Shareholders' Equity	'	'
Common stock	5,541	6,136
Reinvested earnings	15,154	14,077
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-469	-57
Noncontrolling interests	35	38
Total Shareholders' Equity	20,261	20,194
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity	$41,821	$43,752

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Cas

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Operating Activities	'	'
Net earnings including noncontrolling interests	$1,548	$977
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	646	681
Asset impairment charges	0	23
Deferred income taxes	-13	4
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of dividends	-110	-152
Stock compensation expense	43	30
Pension and postretirement accruals (contributions), net	6	7
Deferred cash flow hedges	32	18
(Gain) Loss on Sale of Assets and Equity Dilution	-197	-27
Other - net	-8	-115
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of businesses acquired	'	'
Segregated cash and investments	-795	-360
Trade receivables	957	92
Inventories	3,181	4,788
Other current assets	-482	615
Trade payables	-1,307	-2,154
Increase (Decrease) in Payables to Brokerage Customers	960	132
Accrued expenses and other payables	-37	310
Total Operating Activities	4,424	4,869
Investing Activities	'	'
Purchases of property, plant, and equipment	-605	-659
Proceeds from sales of property, plant, and equipment	29	36
Net assets of businesses acquired	-3	-35
Purchases of marketable securities	-885	-530
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities	951	826
Distributions from affiliates	88	150
Other - net	5	38
Total Investing Activities	-420	-174
Financing Activities	'	'
Long-term debt borrowings	1	23
Long-term debt payments	-1,167	-265
Net borrowings (payments) under lines of credit agreements	-178	-2,489
Purchases of treasury stock	-702	-95
Cash dividends	-470	-376
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest	-157	0
Other - net	87	45
Total Financing Activities	-2,586	-3,157
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	1,418	1,538
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period	3,121	1,714
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	$4,539	$3,252

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Sha

Consolidated Statements Of Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Reinvested Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	$20,194	$6,136	$14,077	($57)	$38
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2013	'	659	'	'	'
Comprehensive income	'	'	'	'	'
Net earnings	1,548	'	1,547	'	1
Other comprehensive income (loss)	-412	'	'	-412	'
Total comprehensive income	1,136	'	'	'	'
Cash dividends paid - $0.72 per share	-470	'	-470	'	'
Treasury stock purchases, shares	'	-16	'	'	'
Treasury stock purchases	-702	-702	'	'	'
Stock compensation expense	43	43	'	'	'
Other, shares	'	3	'	'	'
Other	60	64	'	'	-4
Balance at Sep. 30, 2014	$20,261	$5,541	$15,154	($469)	$35
Balance (shares) at Sep. 30, 2014	'	646	'	'	'

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Sha1

Consolidated Statements Of Shareholders' Equity (Parenthetical) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]	'
Cash dividends paid, per share	$0.72

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, these statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014.  For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.  The Company consolidates all entities, including variable interest entities (VIEs), in which it has a controlling financial interest. For VIEs, the Company assesses whether it is the primary beneficiary as defined under the applicable accounting standard. Investments in affiliates, including VIEs through which the Company exercises significant influence but does not control the investee and is not the primary beneficiary of the investee’s activities, are carried at cost plus equity in undistributed earnings since acquisition and are adjusted, where appropriate, for basis differences between the investment balance and the underlying net assets of the investee.  The Company’s portion of the results of certain affiliates and results of certain VIEs are included using the most recent available financial statements.  In each case, the financial statements are within 93 days of the Company’s year end and are consistent from period to period.
	On June 6, 2014, the Company completed its acquisition of the remaining 20% minority interest in Alfred C. Toepfer International (Toepfer), a global merchandiser of agricultural commodities and processed products, for $157 million. The excess of the purchase price over the carrying value of the associated noncontrolling interest of $12 million was recorded as a reduction in additional paid in capital.
	Adoption of New Accounting Standards
	Effective January 1, 2014, the Company adopted the amended guidance of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 740, Income Taxes, which requires the Company to present an unrecognized tax benefit in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward. In situations where a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward is not available at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction or if the Company does not intend to use the deferred tax asset for such purpose, the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a liability in the financial statements and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. The adoption of this amended guidance does not have an impact on the Company’s financial results.
	Effective January 1, 2014, the Company adopted the amended guidance of ASC Topic 830, Foreign Currency Matters (Topic 830), which requires the Company to transfer currency translation adjustments from other comprehensive income into net income in certain circumstances. The amended guidance aims to resolve diversity in practice as to whether ASC Topic 810, Consolidation or Topic 830 applies to the release of the cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity, or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business. The adoption of this amended guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s current period results. If the Company disposes all or part of a qualifying foreign entity, it will be required to release the portion of cumulative translation adjustment applicable to the disposed entity.
	Effective January 1, 2014, the Company adopted the amended guidance of ASC Topic 405, Liabilities, which addresses the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements, for which the total amount under the arrangement is fixed at the reporting date. The amended guidance aims to resolve diversity in practice among companies that are subject to joint and several liabilities. The retrospective adoption of this amended guidance did not have an impact on current and prior period results and is not expected to have any material impact on the Company’s financial results.
	Last-in, First-out (LIFO) Inventories
	Interim period LIFO calculations are based on interim period costs and management’s estimates of year-end inventory levels.  Because the availability and price of agricultural commodity-based LIFO inventories are unpredictable due to factors such as weather, government farm programs and policies, and changes in global demand, quantities of LIFO-based inventories at interim periods may vary significantly from management’s estimates of year-end inventory levels.

Pending_Accounting_Standards

Pending Accounting Standards	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]	'
Pending Accounting Standards	'
	Pending Accounting Standards
	Effective January 1, 2015, the Company will be required to adopt the amended guidance of ASC Topic 205, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and ASC Topic 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, which limits the definition of discontinued operations as only those disposals of components of an entity that represent a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The amended guidance also expands the definition of discontinued operations to include a business or nonprofit activity that, on acquisition, meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale and a disposal of an equity method investment that meets the definition of discontinued operations. The amended guidance requires the Company to report discontinued operations if (1) the component of an entity or group of components of an entity meets the criteria in Topic 205 to be classified as held for sale; (2) the component of an entity or group of components of an entity is disposed of by sale; or (3) the component of an entity or group of components of an entity is disposed other than by sale. The Company will be required to adopt the presentation and expanded disclosure requirements of the amended guidance prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this amended guidance may change financial statement presentation and require expanded disclosures but will not impact financial results.
	Effective January 1, 2016, the Company will be required to adopt the amended guidance of ASC Topic 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718), which seeks to resolve the diversity in practice that exists when accounting for share-based payments. The amended guidance requires a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period to be treated as a performance condition. The Company will be required to adopt the amended guidance either prospectively to all awards granted or modified after the effective date or retrospectively to all awards with performance targets that are outstanding as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented in the financial statements and to all new or modified awards thereafter. The Company does not expect the adoption of this amended guidance to impact financial results.
	Effective January 1, 2017, the Company will be required to adopt the new guidance of ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition. Topic 606 requires the Company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new guidance requires the Company to apply the following steps: (1) identify the contract with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when, or as, the Company satisfies a performance obligation. The Company will be required to adopt Topic 606 either on a full retrospective basis to each prior reporting period presented or on a modified retrospective basis with the cumulative effect of initially applying the new guidance recognized at the date of initial application. If the Company elects the modified retrospective approach, it will be required to provide additional disclosures of the amount by which each financial statement line item is affected in the current reporting period, as compared to the guidance that was in effect before the change, and an explanation of the reasons for significant changes. The Company has not yet completed its assessment of the impact of the new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Fair Value Measurements
	The following tables set forth, by level, the Company’s assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
		Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2014
		Quoted Prices in				Significant				Significant			Total
		Active Markets				Other				Unobservable
		for Identical				Observable				Inputs
		Assets				Inputs				(Level 3)
		(Level 1)				(Level 2)
		(In millions)
	Assets:
	Inventories carried at market	$	—			$	2,188			$	1,522		$	3,710
	Unrealized derivative gains:
	Commodity contracts	—				737				552			1,289
	Foreign exchange contracts	1				238				—			239
	Interest rate contracts	—				3				—			3
	Cash equivalents	1,012				—				—			1,012
	Marketable securities	779				81				—			860
	Segregated investments	1,877				—				—			1,877
	Deferred receivables consideration	—				695				—			695
	Total Assets	$	3,669			$	3,942			$	2,074		$	9,685
	Liabilities:
	Unrealized derivative losses:
	Commodity contracts	$	—			$	804			$	261		$	1,065
	Foreign exchange contracts	—				246				—			246
	Interest rate contracts	—				4				—			4
	Inventory-related payables	—				290				20			310
	Total Liabilities	$	—			$	1,344			$	281		$	1,625
		Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013
						Significant				Significant			Total
		Quoted Prices in				Other				Unobservable
		Active Markets				Observable				Inputs
		for Identical				Inputs				(Level 3)
		Assets				(Level 2)
		(Level 1)
		(In millions)
	Assets:
	Inventories carried at market	$	—			$	4,247			$	1,812		$	6,059
	Unrealized derivative gains:
	Commodity contracts	31				540				279			850
	Foreign exchange contracts	30				88				—			118
	Interest rate contracts	—				1				—			1
	Cash equivalents	2,518				—				—			2,518
	Marketable securities	881				26				—			907
	Segregated investments	1,707				—				—			1,707
	Deferred receivables consideration	—				757				—			757
	Total Assets	$	5,167			$	5,659			$	2,091		$	12,917
	Liabilities:
	Unrealized derivative losses:
	Commodity contracts	$	45			$	343			$	261		$	649
	Foreign exchange contracts	—				166				—			166
	Interest rate contracts	—				9				—			9
	Inventory-related payables	—				708				34			742
	Total Liabilities	$	45			$	1,226			$	295		$	1,566
	Estimated fair values for inventories carried at market are based on exchange-quoted prices, adjusted for differences in local markets, broker or dealer quotations or market transactions in either listed or over-the-counter (OTC) markets.  Market valuations for the Company’s inventories are adjusted for location and quality because the exchange-quoted prices represent contracts that have standardized terms for commodity, quantity, future delivery period, delivery location, and commodity quality or grade. When unobservable inputs have a significant impact on the measurement of fair value, the inventory is classified as Level 3. Changes in the fair value of inventories are recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings as a component of cost of products sold.
	Derivative contracts include exchange-traded commodity futures and options contracts, forward commodity purchase and sale contracts, and OTC instruments related primarily to agricultural commodities, energy, interest rates, and foreign currencies.  Exchange-traded futures and options contracts are valued based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and are classified in Level 1.  The majority of the Company’s exchange-traded futures and options contracts are cash-settled on a daily basis and, therefore, are not included in the fair value tables.  Fair value for forward commodity purchase and sale contracts is estimated based on exchange-quoted prices adjusted for differences in local markets.  These differences are generally determined using inputs from broker or dealer quotations or market transactions in either the listed or OTC markets.  When observable inputs are available for substantially the full term of the contract, it is classified in Level 2.  When unobservable inputs have a significant impact on the measurement of fair value, the contract is classified in Level 3. Except for certain derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, changes in the fair value of commodity-related derivatives are recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings as a component of cost of products sold.  Changes in the fair value of foreign currency-related derivatives are recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings as a component of revenues, cost of products sold, and other (income) expense – net. The effective portions of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are recognized in the consolidated balance sheets as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) until the hedged items are recorded in earnings or it is probable the hedged transaction will no longer occur.
	The Company’s cash equivalents are comprised of money market funds valued using quoted market prices and are classified as Level 1.
	The Company’s marketable securities are comprised of equity investments, U.S. Treasury securities, obligations of U.S. government agencies, and other debt securities.  Publicly traded equity investments and U.S. Treasury securities are valued using quoted market prices and are classified in Level 1.  U.S. government agency obligations and corporate and municipal debt securities are valued using third-party pricing services and substantially all are classified in Level 2. Unrealized changes in the fair value of available-for-sale marketable securities are recognized in the consolidated balance sheets as a component of AOCI unless a decline in value is deemed to be other-than-temporary at which point the decline is recorded in earnings.
	The Company’s segregated investments are comprised of U.S. Treasury securities. U.S. Treasury securities are valued using quoted market prices and are classified in Level 1.
	The Company has deferred consideration under its accounts receivable securitization programs (the “Programs”) which represents notes receivable from the purchasers under the Programs (see Note 14). This amount is reflected in other current assets on the consolidated balance sheet (see Note 6). The Company carries the deferred consideration at fair value determined by calculating the expected amount of cash to be received. The fair value is principally based on observable inputs (a Level 2 measurement) consisting mainly of the face amount of the receivables adjusted for anticipated credit losses and discounted at the appropriate market rate. Payment of deferred consideration is not subject to significant risks other than delinquencies and credit losses on accounts receivable transferred under the Programs which have historically been insignificant.
	The following table presents a reconciliation of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the three months ended September 30, 2014.
		Level 3 Fair Value Asset Measurements at
		30-Sep-14
		Inventories				Commodity
Carried at			Derivative			Total
Market			Contracts			Assets
			Gains
	(In millions)
Balance, June 30, 2014	$	1,139			$	239			$	1,378
Total increase (decrease) in unrealized gains included in cost of products sold*	(33		)		285				252
Purchases	2,526				—				2,526
Sales	(2,352		)		—				(2,352		)
Settlements	—				(166		)		(166		)
Transfers into Level 3	266				207				473
Transfers out of Level 3	(24		)		(13		)		(37		)
Ending balance, September 30, 2014	$	1,522			$	552			$	2,074
* Includes increase in unrealized gains of $145 million relating to Level 3 assets still held at September 30, 2014.
The following table presents a reconciliation of liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the three months ended September 30, 2014.
	Level 3 Fair Value Liability Measurements at
	30-Sep-14
	Inventory-				Commodity
	related				Derivative				Total
	Payables				Contracts				Liabilities
					Losses
	(In millions)
Balance, June 30, 2014	$	19			$	162			$	181
Total increase (decrease) in unrealized losses included in cost of products sold*	—				110				110
Purchases	12				—				12
Sales	(11		)		—				(11		)
Settlements	—				(130		)		(130		)
Transfers into Level 3	—				127				127
Transfers out of Level 3	—				(8		)		(8		)
Ending balance, September 30, 2014	$	20			$	261			$	281
* Includes increase in unrealized losses of $111 million relating to Level 3 liabilities still held at September 30, 2014.
The following table presents a reconciliation of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the three months ended September 30, 2013.
	Level 3 Fair Value Asset Measurements at
	30-Sep-13
	Inventories				Commodity
	Carried at				Derivative				Total
	Market				Contracts				Assets
					Gains
	(In millions)
Balance, June 30, 2013	$	1,926			$	267			$	2,193
Total increase (decrease) in unrealized gains included in cost of products sold*	162				143				305
Purchases	2,896				—				2,896
Sales	(3,264		)		—				(3,264		)
Settlements	—				(153		)		(153		)
Transfers into Level 3	35				69				104
Transfers out of Level 3	(483		)		(64		)		(547		)
Ending balance, September 30, 2013	$	1,272			$	262			$	1,534
* Includes increase in unrealized gains of $289 million relating to Level 3 assets still held at September 30, 2013.
The following table presents a reconciliation of liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the three months ended September 30, 2013.
	Level 3 Fair Value Liability Measurements at
	30-Sep-13
	Inventory-				Commodity
	related				Derivative				Total
	Payables				Contracts				Liabilities
					Losses
	(In millions)
Balance, June 30, 2013	$	63			$	233			$	296
Total increase (decrease) in unrealized losses included in cost of products sold*	—				127				127
Purchases	4				—				4
Sales	(17		)		—				(17		)
Settlements	—				(186		)		(186		)
Transfers into Level 3	—				30				30
Transfers out of Level 3	(41		)		(18		)		(59		)
Ending balance, September 30, 2013	$	9			$	186			$	195
* Includes increase in unrealized losses of $127 million relating to Level 3 liabilities still held at September 30, 2013.
The following table presents a reconciliation of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
	Level 3 Fair Value Asset Measurements at
	30-Sep-14
	Inventories				Commodity
	Carried at				Derivative				Total
	Market				Contracts				Assets
					Gains
	(In millions)
Balance, December 31, 2013	$	1,812			$	279			$	2,091
Total increase (decrease) in unrealized gains included in cost of products sold*	(208		)		507				299
Purchases	10,474				—				10,474
Sales	(10,711		)		—				(10,711		)
Settlements	—				(529		)		(529		)
Transfers into Level 3	266				328				594
Transfers out of Level 3	(111		)		(33		)		(144		)
Ending balance, September 30, 2014	$	1,522			$	552			$	2,074
* Includes increase in unrealized gains of $516 million relating to Level 3 assets still held at September 30, 2014.
The following table presents a reconciliation of liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
	Level 3 Fair Value Liability Measurements at
	30-Sep-14
	Inventory-				Commodity
	related				Derivative				Total
	Payables				Contracts				Liabilities
					Losses
	(In millions)
Balance, December 31, 2013	$	34			$	261			$	295
Total increase (decrease) in unrealized losses included in cost of products sold*	10				384				394
Purchases	18				—				18
Sales	(42		)		—				(42		)
Settlements	—				(580		)		(580		)
Transfers into Level 3	—				234				234
Transfers out of Level 3	—				(38		)		(38		)
Ending balance, September 30, 2014	$	20			$	261			$	281
* Includes increase in unrealized losses of $397 million relating to Level 3 liabilities still held at September 30, 2014.
The following table presents a reconciliation of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Level 3 Fair Value Asset Measurements at
	30-Sep-13
	Inventories				Commodity
	Carried at				Derivative				Total
	Market				Contracts				Assets
					Gains
	(In millions)
Balance, December 31, 2012	$	1,745			$	143			$	1,888
Total increase (decrease) in unrealized gains included in cost of products sold*	(677		)		372				(305		)
Purchases	11,795				—				11,795
Sales	(11,576		)		—				(11,576		)
Settlements	—				(381		)		(381		)
Transfers into Level 3	35				209				244
Transfers out of Level 3	(50		)		(81		)		(131		)
Ending balance, September 30, 2013	$	1,272			$	262			$	1,534
* Includes increase in unrealized gains of $553 million relating to Level 3 assets still held at September 30, 2013.
The following table presents a reconciliation of liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Level 3 Fair Value Liability Measurements at
	30-Sep-13
	Inventory-				Commodity
	related				Derivative				Total
	Payables				Contracts				Liabilities
					Losses
	(In millions)
Balance, December 31, 2012	$	33			$	138			$	171
Total increase (decrease) in unrealized losses included in cost of products sold*	(191		)		382				191
Purchases	190				—				190
Sales	(23		)		—				(23		)
Settlements	—				(397		)		(397		)
Transfers into Level 3	—				104				104
Transfers out of Level 3	—				(41		)		(41		)
Ending balance, September 30, 2013	$	9			$	186			$	195
* Includes increase in unrealized losses of $237 million relating to Level 3 liabilities still held at September 30, 2013.
For all periods presented, the Company had no transfers between Level 1 and 2. Transfers into Level 3 of assets and liabilities previously classified in Level 2 were due to the relative value of unobservable inputs to the total fair value measurement of certain products and derivative contracts rising above the 10% threshold. Transfers out of Level 3 were primarily due to the relative value of unobservable inputs to the total fair value measurement of certain products and derivative contracts falling below the 10% threshold and thus permitting reclassification to Level 2.
In some cases, the price components that result in differences between the exchange-traded prices and the local prices are observable based upon available quotations for these pricing components, and in some cases, the differences are unobservable. These price components primarily include transportation costs and other adjustments required due to location, quality, or other contract terms. In the table below, these other adjustments are referred to as Basis. The changes in unobservable price components are determined by specific local supply and demand characteristics at each facility and the overall market. Factors such as substitute products, weather, fuel costs, contract terms, and futures prices also impact the movement of these unobservable price components.
The following table sets forth the weighted average percentage of the unobservable price components included in the Company’s Level 3 valuations as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The Company’s Level 3 measurements may include Basis only, transportation cost only, or both price components. As an example, for Level 3 inventories with Basis, the unobservable component as of September 30, 2014 is a weighted average 32.1% of the total price for assets and 30.8% for liabilities.
	Weighted Average % of Total Price
	September 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
Component Type	Assets			Liabilities			Assets			Liabilities
Inventories and Related Payables
Basis	32.1	%		30.8	%		21.9	%		13.2	%
Transportation cost	11.4	%		—	%		12.3	%		—	%
Commodity Derivative Contracts
Basis	20.1	%		18.5	%		22.8	%		17.6	%
Transportation cost	8.1	%		24.4	%		32.5	%		12.3	%
In certain of the Company’s principal markets, the Company relies on price quotes from third parties to value its inventories and physical commodity purchase and sale contracts. These price quotes are generally not further adjusted by the Company in determining the applicable market price. In some cases, availability of third-party quotes is limited to only one or two independent sources. In these situations, the Company considers these price quotes as 100 percent unobservable and, therefore, the fair value of these items is reported in Level 3.

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	'
	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
	Within the Note 4 tables, zeros represent minimal amounts.
	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
	The majority of the Company’s derivative instruments have not been designated as hedging instruments. The Company uses exchange-traded futures and exchange-traded and OTC options contracts to manage its net position of merchandisable agricultural commodity inventories and forward cash purchase and sales contracts to reduce price risk caused by market fluctuations in agricultural commodities and foreign currencies.  The Company also uses exchange-traded futures and exchange-traded and OTC options contracts as components of merchandising strategies designed to enhance margins. The results of these strategies can be significantly impacted by factors such as the correlation between the value of exchange-traded commodities futures contracts and the value of the underlying commodities, counterparty contract defaults, and volatility of freight markets. Derivatives, including exchange-traded contracts and physical purchase or sale contracts, are stated at market value.  Inventories of certain merchandisable agricultural commodities, which include amounts acquired under deferred pricing contracts, are stated at market value.  Inventory is not a derivative and therefore fair values of and changes in fair values of inventories are not included in the tables below.
	The following table sets forth the fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
		September 30, 2014								December 31, 2013
		Assets				Liabilities				Assets		Liabilities
		(In millions)								(In millions)
	FX Contracts	$	239			$	246			$	118	$	166
	Interest Contracts	—				—				1		—
	Commodity Contracts	1,289				1,065				850		649
	Total	$	1,528			$	1,311			$	969	$	815
	The following tables set forth the pre-tax gains (losses) on derivatives not designated as hedging instruments that have been included in the consolidated statements of earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
		Three months ended September 30,
		2014				2013
		(In millions)
	Interest Contracts
	Interest expense	$	—			$	0
	Other income (expense) – net	—				1
	FX Contracts
	Revenues	$	5			$	(3	)
	Cost of products sold	17				29
	Other income (expense) – net	(148		)		85
	Commodity Contracts
	Cost of products sold	$	720			$	(3	)
	Total gain (loss) recognized in earnings	$	594			$	109
		Nine months ended September 30,
		2014				2013
		(In millions)
	Interest Contracts
	Interest expense	$	—			$	0
	Other income (expense) – net	0				1
	FX Contracts
	Revenues	$	(3	)		$	106
	Cost of products sold	105				(58		)
	Other income (expense) – net	(172		)		30
	Commodity Contracts
	Cost of products sold	$	213			$	204
	Total gain (loss) recognized in earnings	$	143			$	283
	Inventories of certain merchandisable agricultural commodities, which include amounts acquired under deferred pricing contracts, are stated at market value. Changes in the market value of inventories of certain merchandisable agricultural commodities, forward cash purchase and sales contracts, exchange-traded futures and exchange-traded and OTC options contracts are recognized in earnings immediately.
	Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow or Fair Value Hedging Strategies
	As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company has certain derivatives designated as cash flow and fair value hedges.
	The Company uses interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges to protect the fair value of fixed-rate debt due to changes in interest rates. The changes in the fair value of the interest rate swaps and the underlying fixed-rate debt are recorded in other (income) expense - net. The terms of the interest rate swaps match the terms of the underlying debt resulting in no ineffectiveness. At September 30, 2014, the Company has $3 million in other current assets and $4 million in accrued expenses and other payables representing the fair value of the interest rate swaps and corresponding increases and decreases in the underlying debt for the same amount with no impact to earnings.
	For each of the commodity hedge programs described below, the derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges.  Assuming normal market conditions, the changes in the market value of such derivative contracts have historically been, and are expected to continue to be, highly effective at offsetting changes in price movements of the hedged item.  Once the hedged item is recognized in earnings, the gains/losses arising from the hedge are reclassified from AOCI to either revenues or cost of products sold, as applicable.  As of September 30, 2014, the Company has $9 million of after-tax gains in AOCI related to gains and losses from commodity cash flow hedge transactions.  The Company expects to recognize all of these after-tax gains in its consolidated statement of earnings during the next 12 months.
	The Company, from time to time, uses futures or options contracts to fix the purchase price of anticipated volumes of corn to be purchased and processed in a future month.  The objective of this hedging program is to reduce the variability of cash flows associated with the Company’s forecasted purchases of corn.  The Company’s corn processing plants currently grind approximately 76 million bushels of corn per month.  During the past 12 months, the Company hedged between 16% and 71% of its monthly anticipated grind.  At September 30, 2014, the Company has designated hedges representing between 0.1% and 44% of its anticipated monthly grind of corn for the next 12 months.
	The Company, from time to time, also uses futures, options, and swaps to fix the sales price of certain ethanol sales contracts.  The Company has established hedging programs for ethanol sales contracts that are indexed to unleaded gasoline prices and to various exchange-traded ethanol contracts. The objective of these hedging programs is to reduce the variability of cash flows associated with the Company’s sales of ethanol.  During the past 12 months, the Company hedged between 9 million and 109 million gallons of ethanol sales per month under these programs.  For the next 9 months, the Company has designated hedges representing between 1 million and 61 million gallons of ethanol sales per month.
	The following table sets forth the fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
		September 30, 2014								December 31, 2013
		Assets				Liabilities				Assets		Liabilities
		(In millions)								(In millions)
	Interest Contracts	$	3			$	4			$	0	$	9
	Total	$	3			$	4			$	0	$	9
	The following tables set forth the pre-tax gains (losses) on derivatives designated as hedging instruments that have been included in the consolidated statements of earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
				Three months ended
		Consolidated Statement of		September 30,
		Earnings Locations		2014				2013
				(In millions)
	Effective amounts recognized in earnings
	FX Contracts	Other income/expense – net		$	2			$	0
	Interest Contracts	Interest expense		1				1
	Commodity Contracts	Cost of products sold		(110		)		(2		)
		Revenues		(1		)		(2		)
	Ineffective amount recognized in earnings
Commodity Contracts	Revenues		(4		)		—
	Cost of products sold		(12		)		(73		)
Total amount recognized in earnings			$	(124	)		$	(76	)
			Nine months ended
	Consolidated Statement of		September 30,
	Earnings Locations		2014				2013
			(In millions)
Effective amounts recognized in earnings
FX Contracts	Other income/expense – net		$	2			$	0
Interest Contracts	Interest expense		1				1
Commodity Contracts	Cost of products sold		(103		)		(7		)
	Revenues		(86		)		3
Ineffective amount recognized in earnings
Commodity Contracts	Revenues		(28		)		—
	Cost of products sold		(19		)		(128		)
Total amount recognized in earnings			$	(233	)		$	(131	)
Hedge ineffectiveness for commodity contracts results when the change in the price of the underlying commodity in a specific cash market differs from the change in the price of the derivative financial instrument used to establish the hedging relationship.  As an example, if the change in the price of a corn futures contract is strongly correlated to the change in cash price paid for corn, the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is deferred and recognized at the time the corn grind occurs.  If the change in price of the derivative does not strongly correlate to the change in the cash price of corn, in the same example, some portion or all of the derivative gains or losses may be required to be recognized in earnings prior to the corn grind occurring.
The following tables set forth the changes in AOCI related to derivatives gains (losses) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
	Three months ended
	September 30,
	2014				2013
	(In millions)
Balance at June 30, 2014 and 2013	$	(12	)		$	6
Unrealized gains (losses)	(49		)		13
Losses (gains) reclassified to earnings	108				3
Tax effect	(23		)		(7		)
Balance at September 30, 2014 and 2013	$	24			$	15
	Nine months ended
	September 30,
	2014				2013
	(In millions)
Balance at December 31, 2013 and 2012	$	5			$	4
Unrealized gains (losses)	(154		)		15
Losses (gains) reclassified to earnings	186				3
Tax effect	(13		)		(7		)
Balance at September 30, 2014 and 2013	$	24			$	15

Marketable_Securities

Marketable Securities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Marketable Securities	'
	Marketable Securities
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair
				Gains		Losses			Value
		(In millions)
	September 30, 2014
	United States government obligations
	Maturity less than 1 year	$	282	$	—	$	—		$	282
	Maturity 1 to 5 years	90		—		—			90
	Government–sponsored enterprise obligations
	Maturity 1 to 5 years	1		—		—			1
	Corporate debt securities
	Maturity 1 to 5 years	74		—		—			74
	Other debt securities
	Maturity less than 1 year	66		—		—			66
	Maturity 1 to 5 years	3		—		—			3
	Equity securities
	Available-for-sale	355		2		(7		)	350
		$	871	$	2	$	(7	)	$	866
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair
				Gains		Losses			Value
		(In millions)
	December 31, 2013
	United States government obligations
	Maturity less than 1 year	$	395	$	—	$	—		$	395
	Maturity 1 to 5 years	124		—		—			124
	Government–sponsored enterprise obligations
	Maturity 1 to 5 years	4		—		—			4
	Corporate debt securities
	Maturity 1 to 5 years	16		—		—			16
	Other debt securities
	Maturity less than 1 year	38		—		—			38
	Maturity 1 to 5 years	3		—		—			3
	Equity securities
	Available-for-sale	362		1		(2		)	361
		$	942	$	1	$	(2	)	$	941
	Of the $7 million in unrealized losses at September 30, 2014, $5 million arose within the last 12 months and is related to the Company’s investment in one available-for-sale equity security with a fair value of $6 million.  The market value of the Company’s investment that has been in an unrealized loss position for 12 months or longer is $4 million and is related to one available-for-sale equity security. The Company evaluated the near-term prospects of the issuers in relation to the severity and duration of the impairment.  Based on that evaluation and the Company’s ability and intent to hold these investments for a reasonable period of time sufficient for a forecasted recovery of fair value, the Company does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2014.

Other_Current_Assets

Other Current Assets	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Other Assets [Abstract]	'
Other Current Assets	'
	Other Current Assets
	The following table sets forth the items in other current assets:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(In millions)
	Unrealized gains on derivative contracts	$	1,531	$	969
	Deferred receivables consideration	695		757
	Customer omnibus receivable	1,489		1,298
	Financing receivables - net (1)	371		576
	Other current assets	2,760		2,750
		$	6,846	$	6,350
	(1) The Company provides financing to certain suppliers, primarily Brazilian farmers, to finance a portion of the suppliers’ production costs. The amounts are reported net of allowances of $12 million and $15 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Changes in the allowance for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 included an increase of $2 million for additional bad debt provisions and a reduction in the allowance for adjustments of $5 million. Interest earned on financing receivables of $5 million and $17 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, and $4 million and $18 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, is included in interest income in the consolidated statements of earnings.

Accrued_Expenses_And_Other_Pay

Accrued Expenses And Other Payables	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
Accrued Expenses And Other Payables	'
	Accrued Expenses and Other Payables
	The following table sets forth the items in accrued expenses and other payables:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(In millions)
	Unrealized losses on derivative contracts	$	1,315	$	824
	Accrued expenses and other payables	3,362		3,966
		$	4,677	$	4,790

Debt_And_Financing_Arrangement

Debt And Financing Arrangements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Debt And Financing Arrangements	'
	Debt and Financing Arrangements
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company had outstanding $1.15 billion principal amount of convertible senior notes (the “Notes”) due in February 2014. On February 18, 2014, the Notes were repaid with available funds.
	At September 30, 2014, the fair value of the Company’s long-term debt exceeded the carrying value by $1.2 billion, as estimated using quoted market prices (a Level 2 measurement under applicable accounting standards).
	At September 30, 2014, the Company had lines of credit totaling $6.7 billion, of which $6.6 billion was unused.  Of the Company’s total lines of credit, $4.0 billion support a commercial paper borrowing facility, against which there was no commercial paper outstanding at September 30, 2014.
	The Company has accounts receivable securitization programs (the “Programs”). The Programs provide the Company with up to $1.6 billion in funding resulting from the sale of accounts receivable. As of September 30, 2014, the Company utilized $1.3 billion of its facility under the Programs (see Note 14 for more information on the Programs).

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Income Taxes	'
	Income Taxes
	The Company’s effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was 27.6% and 27.5%, respectively, compared to 32.2% and 30.3% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, due primarily to the effect of discrete tax adjustments partially offset by changes in the geographic mix of pretax earnings.
	The Company is subject to income taxation in many jurisdictions around the world. The Company is subject to routine examination by domestic and foreign tax authorities and frequently faces challenges regarding the amount of taxes due.  These challenges include positions taken by the Company related to the timing, nature and amount of deductions and the allocation of income among various tax jurisdictions.  Resolution of the related tax positions, through negotiation with relevant tax authorities or through litigation, may take years to complete. Therefore, it is difficult to predict the timing for resolution of tax positions. In its routine evaluations of the exposure associated with various tax filing positions, the Company recognizes a liability, when necessary, for estimated potential additional tax owed by the Company in accordance with the applicable accounting standard.  However, the Company cannot predict or provide assurance as to the ultimate outcome of these ongoing or future examinations.
	The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, ADM do Brasil Ltda. (ADM do Brasil), has received three separate tax assessments from the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service (BFRS) challenging the tax deductibility of commodity hedging losses and related expenses for the tax years 2004, 2006, and 2007. As of September 30, 2014, these assessments, updated for estimated penalties, interest, and variation in currency exchange rates, totaled approximately $527 million. ADM do Brasil’s tax return for 2005 was also audited and no assessment was received. The statutes of limitation for 2005 and 2008 have expired. If the BFRS were to challenge commodity hedging deductions in tax years after 2008, the Company estimates it could face additional claims of approximately $60 million (based on currency exchange rates as of September 30, 2014).
	ADM do Brasil enters into commodity hedging transactions that can result in gains, which are included in ADM do Brasil’s calculations of taxable income in Brazil, and losses, which ADM do Brasil deducts from its taxable income in Brazil. The Company has evaluated its tax position regarding these hedging transactions and concluded, based upon advice from Brazilian legal counsel, that it was appropriate to recognize both gains and losses resulting from hedging transactions when determining its Brazilian income tax expense. Therefore, the Company has continued to recognize the tax benefit from hedging losses in its financial statements and has not recorded any tax liability for the amounts assessed by the BFRS.
	ADM do Brasil filed an administrative appeal for each of the assessments. During the second quarter of fiscal 2011, the appeal panel found in favor of the BFRS on the 2004 assessment and ADM do Brasil filed a second level administrative appeal, which is still ongoing. In January of 2012, the appeal panel found in favor of the BFRS on the 2006 and 2007 assessments and ADM do Brasil filed a second level administrative appeal, which is still ongoing. If ADM do Brasil continues to be unsuccessful in the administrative appellate process, it intends to file appeals in the Brazilian federal courts. While the Company believes its consolidated financial statements properly reflect the tax deductibility of these hedging losses, the ultimate resolution of this matter could result in the future recognition of additional payments of, and expense for, income tax and the associated interest and penalties. The Company intends to vigorously defend its position against the current assessments and any similar assessments that may be issued for years subsequent to 2008.
	The Company’s subsidiaries in Argentina have received tax assessments challenging transfer prices used to price grain exports totaling $37 million (inclusive of interest and adjusted for variation in currency exchange rates) for the tax years 2004 and 2005. The Argentine tax authorities have been conducting a review of income and other taxes paid by large exporters and processors of cereals and other agricultural commodities resulting in allegations of income tax evasion. While the Company believes that it has complied with all Argentine tax laws, it cannot rule out receiving additional assessments challenging transfer prices used to price grain exports for certain years subsequent to 2005, and estimates that these potential assessments would be approximately $367 million (as of September 30, 2014 and subject to variation in currency exchange rates).  The Company intends to vigorously defend its position against the current assessments and any similar assessments that may be issued for years subsequent to 2005. The Company believes that it has appropriately evaluated the transactions underlying these assessments, and has concluded, based on Argentine tax law, that its tax position would be sustained, and accordingly, has not recorded a tax liability for these assessments.
	In accordance with the accounting requirements for uncertain tax positions, the Company has concluded that it is more likely than not to prevail on the Brazil and Argentina matters based upon their technical merits. The Company has not recorded an uncertain tax liability for these assessments partly because the taxing jurisdictions’ processes do not provide a mechanism for settling at less than the full amount of the assessment. The Company’s consideration of these tax assessments requires judgments about the application of income tax regulations to specific facts and circumstances. The final outcome of these matters cannot reliably be predicted, may take many years to resolve, and could result in the payment and expense of up to the entire amount of these assessments.

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)	'
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI)
	The following tables set forth the changes in AOCI by component for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and the reclassifications out of AOCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Three months ended September 30, 2014
		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment				Deferred Gain (Loss) on Hedging Activities				Pension Liability Adjustment				Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments				Total
		(In millions)
	Balance at June 30, 2014	$	270			$	(12	)		$	(323	)		$	(5	)		$	(70	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(462		)		(49		)		8				10				(493		)
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI	—				108				6				—				114
	Tax effect	7				(23		)		(4		)		—				(20		)
	Net current period other comprehensive income	(455		)		36				10				10				(399		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	(185	)		$	24			$	(313	)		$	5			$	(469	)
		Nine months ended September 30, 2014
		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment				Deferred Gain (Loss) on Hedging Activities				Pension Liability Adjustment				Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments				Total
		(In millions)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	269			$	5			$	(330	)		$	(1	)		$	(57	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(462		)		(154		)		8				3				(605		)
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI	—				186				16				—				202
	Tax effect	8				(13		)		(7		)		3				(9		)
	Net current period other comprehensive income	(454		)		19				17				6				(412		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	(185	)		$	24			$	(313	)		$	5			$	(469	)
			Amount reclassified from AOCI
			Three months ended								Nine months ended
	Details about AOCI components		Sep 30				Sep 30				Sep 30				Sep 30				Affected line item in the consolidated statement of earnings
			2014				2013				2014				2013
			(In millions)
	Deferred loss (gain) on hedging activities
			$	110			$	2			$	103			$	7			Cost of products sold
			(1		)		(1		)		(1		)		(1		)		Interest expense
			(2		)		—				(2		)		—				Other income/expense
			1				2				86				(3		)		Revenues
			108				3				186				3				Total before tax
			(40		)		(1		)		(69		)		(1		)		Tax
			$	68			$	2			$	117			$	2			Net of tax
	Pension liability adjustment
	Amortization of defined benefit pension items:
	Prior service credit		$	(3	)		$	(3	)		$	(11	)		$	(11	)
	Actuarial losses		9				18				27				56
			6				15				16				45				Total before tax
			(2		)		(5		)		(5		)		(16		)		Tax
			$	4			$	10			$	11			$	29			Net of tax
	Unrealized loss on investments
			$	—			$	9			$	—			$	9			Asset impairment, exit, and restructuring costs
			—				(3		)		—				(3		)		Tax
			$	—			$	6			$	—			$	6			Net of tax

Other_Income_Expense_Net

Other (Income) Expense - Net	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'
Other (Income) Expense - Net	'
	Other (Income) Expense - Net
	The following tables set forth the items in other (income) expense:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In millions)
	Gains on sales of assets	$	(163	)	$	(6	)	$	(197	)	$	(27	)
	Net gain on marketable securities transactions	—			(2		)	—			(7		)
	Loss (Gain) on foreign exchange hedges	102			(26		)	102			25
	Other – net	5			(1		)	19			(1		)
	Other (Income) Expense - Net	$	(56	)	$	(35	)	$	(76	)	$	(10	)
	Gains on sales of assets for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 includes a gain of $156 million upon the Company's effective dilution in the Pacificor (formerly Kalama Export Company) joint venture, resulting from the contribution of additional assets by another member in exchange for new equity units. The transaction occurred on September 30, 2014, and the gain was determined on a preliminary basis subject to a final valuation which will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2014.
	The loss on foreign exchange hedges for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was due to losses on Euro foreign currency derivative contracts entered into to economically hedge the anticipated Wild Flavors acquisition (see Note 15). The loss (gain) on foreign exchange hedges for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was due to losses (gains) on Australian dollar foreign currency derivative contracts entered into to economically hedge the proposed GrainCorp Limited (GrainCorp) acquisition.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
	Segment Information
	The Company is principally engaged in procuring, transporting, storing, processing, and merchandising agricultural commodities and products. The Company’s operations are organized, managed and classified into three reportable business segments: Oilseeds Processing, Corn Processing, and Agricultural Services. Each of these segments is organized based upon the nature of products and services offered. The Company’s remaining operations are not reportable segments, as defined by the applicable accounting standard, and are classified as Other.
	With the acquisition of Wild Flavors, the Company plans to form a new business unit effective in the first quarter of 2015. This business unit’s financial results will be reported under a new segment which will be called Wild Flavors and Specialty Ingredients.
	Intersegment sales have been recorded at amounts approximating market. Operating profit for each segment is based on net sales less identifiable operating expenses. Also included in segment operating profit is equity in earnings of affiliates based on the equity method of accounting. Certain Corporate items are not allocated to the Company’s reportable business segments. Corporate results principally include the impact of LIFO-related adjustments, unallocated corporate expenses, interest cost net of investment income, and the Company’s share of the results of an equity investment. Corporate results also include the after-tax elimination of income attributable to the minority shareholder of Toepfer. The Company acquired the remaining 20% minority interest in Toepfer during the second quarter of 2014, thus no longer requiring the elimination of income attributable to the minority shareholder as of June 30, 2014.
	For detailed information regarding the Company’s reportable segments, see Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In millions)
	Gross revenues
	Oilseeds Processing	$	8,484		$	10,429		$	26,703		$	29,512
	Corn Processing	2,928			3,437			8,879			10,210
	Agricultural Services	8,276			9,829			29,653			32,629
	Other	145			84			420			261
	Intersegment elimination	(1,716		)	(2,386		)	(5,348		)	(6,951		)
	Total gross revenues	$	18,117		$	21,393		$	60,307		$	65,661
	Intersegment sales
	Oilseeds Processing	$	630		$	1,213		$	2,205		$	2,817
	Corn Processing	32			44			82			126
	Agricultural Services	992			1,078			2,882			3,848
	Other	62			51			179			160
	Total intersegment sales	$	1,716		$	2,386		$	5,348		$	6,951
	Revenues from external customers
	Oilseeds Processing
	Crushing and Origination	$	4,632		$	5,588		$	14,615		$	15,950
	Refining, Packaging, Biodiesel, and Other	2,253			2,666			6,955			7,799
	Cocoa and Other	895			809			2,559			2,403
	Asia	74			153			369			543
	Total Oilseeds Processing	7,854			9,216			24,498			26,695
	Corn Processing
	Sweeteners and Starches	1,003			1,206			2,879			3,710
	Bioproducts	1,893			2,187			5,918			6,374
	Total Corn Processing	2,896			3,393			8,797			10,084
	Agricultural Services
	Merchandising and Handling	6,206			7,617			23,586			25,380
	Milling and Other	1,000			1,066			3,004			3,238
	Transportation	78			68			181			163
	Total Agricultural Services	7,284			8,751			26,771			28,781
	Other
	Financial	83			33			241			101
	Total Other	83			33			241			101
	Total revenues from external customers	$	18,117		$	21,393		$	60,307		$	65,661
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In millions)
	Segment operating profit
	Oilseeds Processing
	Crushing and Origination	$	214		$	242		$	538		$	583
	Refining, Packaging, Biodiesel, and Other	96			85			328			286
	Cocoa and Other	26			5			51			(23		)
	Asia	26			29			106			149
	Total Oilseeds Processing	362			361			1,023			995
	Corn Processing
	Sweeteners and Starches	170			100			414			302
	Bioproducts	193			59			492			233
	Total Corn Processing	363			159			906			535
	Agricultural Services
	Merchandising and Handling	220			4			404			104
	Milling and Other	60			77			172			200
	Transportation	35			21			95			30
	Total Agricultural Services	315			102			671			334
	Other
Financial	33			(16		)	52			19
Total Other	33			(16		)	52			19
Total segment operating profit	1,073			606			2,652			1,883
Corporate	(40		)	103			(518		)	(482		)
Earnings before income taxes	$	1,033		$	709		$	2,134		$	1,401

Asset_Impairment_Exit_and_Rest

Asset Impairment, Exit, and Restructuring Costs	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions [Abstract]	'
Asset Impairment, Exit, and Restructuring Costs	'
	Asset Impairment, Exit, and Restructuring Costs
	Asset impairment, exit, and restructuring costs recognized in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 of $31 million consisted of costs associated with the relocation of the Company’s global headquarters to Chicago, IL of $16 million and restructuring charges related to Toepfer integration following the acquisition of the minority interest and other restructuring charges of $15 million.
	Asset impairment, exit, and restructuring costs recognized in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 of $23 million consisted of property, plant, and equipment asset impairments of $12 million and an other-than-temporary writedown of an investment of $11 million.

Sale_of_Accounts_Receivable

Sale of Accounts Receivable	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Transfers and Servicing [Abstract]	'
Sale of Accounts Receivable	'
	Sale of Accounts Receivable
	Since March 2012, the Company has had an accounts receivable securitization program (the “Program”) with certain commercial paper conduit purchasers and committed purchasers (collectively, the “Purchasers”). Under the Program, certain U.S.-originated trade accounts receivable are sold to a wholly-owned bankruptcy-remote entity, ADM Receivables, LLC (“ADM Receivables”). ADM Receivables in turn transfers such purchased accounts receivable in their entirety to the Purchasers pursuant to a receivables purchase agreement. In exchange for the transfer of the accounts receivable, ADM Receivables receives a cash payment of up to $1.2 billion, as amended, and an additional amount upon the collection of the accounts receivable (deferred consideration). The Program terminates on June 26, 2015, unless extended.
	In March 2014, the Company entered into a second accounts receivable securitization program (the “Second Program”) with certain commercial paper conduit purchasers and committed purchasers (collectively, the “Second Purchasers”). Under the Second Program, certain non-U.S.-originated trade accounts receivable are sold to a wholly-owned bankruptcy-remote entity, ADM Ireland Receivables Company (“ADM Ireland Receivables”). ADM Ireland Receivables in turn transfers such purchased accounts receivable in their entirety to the Second Purchasers pursuant to a receivables purchase agreement. In exchange for the transfer of the accounts receivable, ADM Ireland Receivables receives a cash payment of up to $0.4 billion and an additional amount upon the collection of the accounts receivable (deferred consideration). The Second Program terminates on March 20, 2015, unless extended.
	Under the Program and Second Program (collectively, the “Programs”), ADM Receivables and ADM Ireland Receivables use the cash proceeds from the transfer of receivables to the Purchasers and Second Purchasers and other consideration to finance the purchase of receivables from the Company and the ADM subsidiaries originating the receivables.
	The Company accounts for these transfers as sales. The Company has no retained interests in the transferred receivables, other than collection and administrative responsibilities and its right to the deferred consideration. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company did not record a servicing asset or liability related to its retained responsibility, based on its assessment of the servicing fee, market values for similar transactions and its cost of servicing the receivables sold.
	As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the fair value of trade receivables transferred to the Purchasers and Second Purchasers under the Programs and derecognized from the Company’s consolidated balance sheet was $2.0 billion, and $1.9 billion, respectively. In exchange for the transfer as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company received cash of $1.3 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively, and recorded a receivable for deferred consideration included in other current assets of $0.7 billion and $0.8 billion, respectively. Cash collections from customers on receivables sold were $23.7 billion and $27.8 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Of this amount, $22.4 billion and $27.8 billion pertain to cash collections on the deferred consideration for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Deferred consideration is paid to the Company in cash on behalf of the Purchasers and Second Purchasers as receivables are collected; however, as these are revolving facilities, cash collected from the Company’s customers is reinvested by the Purchasers and Second Purchasers daily in new receivable purchases under the Programs.
	The Company’s risk of loss following the transfer of accounts receivable under the Programs is limited to the deferred consideration outstanding. The Company carries the deferred consideration at fair value determined by calculating the expected amount of cash to be received and is principally based on observable inputs (a Level 2 measurement under the applicable accounting standards) consisting mainly of the face amount of the receivables adjusted for anticipated credit losses and discounted at the appropriate market rate. Payment of deferred consideration is not subject to significant risks other than delinquencies and credit losses on accounts receivable transferred under the Programs which have historically been insignificant.
	Transfers of receivables under the Programs resulted in an expense for the loss on sale of $2 million and $4 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, and $1 million and $3 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively, classified as selling, general, and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings.
	The Company reflects all cash flows related to the Programs as operating activities in its consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 because the cash received from the Purchasers and Second Purchasers upon both the sale and collection of the receivables is not subject to significantly different risks given the short-term nature of the Company’s trade receivables.

Subsequent_Events_Subsequent_E

Subsequent Events Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	'
	Subsequent Events
	On October 1, 2014, the Company completed the acquisition of WILD Flavors GmbH (“Wild Flavors”), making the Company one of the world’s leading flavors and specialty ingredients companies. In an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $3.0 billion enterprise value, the Company paid $2.8 billion to Wild Flavors shareholders Dr. Hans-Peter Wild and funds affiliated with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P., and assumed approximately $0.2 billion of net debt. In addition, the Company incurred $0.1 billion of foreign exhange hedging losses on Euro foreign currency derivative contracts entered into to economically hedge the anticipated Wild Flavors acquisition during the three months ended September 30, 2014. The Company is in the process of obtaining a valuation of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities. The Company will begin consolidating the financial results of Wild Flavors as of October 1, 2014.
	On October 13, 2014, the Company announced an agreement to purchase Specialty Commodities Inc., a leading originator, processor and distributor of healthy ingredients, including nuts, fruits, seeds, legumes and ancient grains, for approximately $170 million subject to regulatory approval. The transaction is expected to close during the fourth quarter of 2014.
	On October 31, 2014, the Company announced that it has acquired the processing facilities and certain assets of Harrell Nut Company, one of the country’s leading processors and shellers of pecans, for approximately $89 million.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements At Reporting Date	'
	The following tables set forth, by level, the Company’s assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
		Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2014
		Quoted Prices in				Significant				Significant			Total
		Active Markets				Other				Unobservable
		for Identical				Observable				Inputs
		Assets				Inputs				(Level 3)
		(Level 1)				(Level 2)
		(In millions)
	Assets:
	Inventories carried at market	$	—			$	2,188			$	1,522		$	3,710
	Unrealized derivative gains:
	Commodity contracts	—				737				552			1,289
	Foreign exchange contracts	1				238				—			239
	Interest rate contracts	—				3				—			3
	Cash equivalents	1,012				—				—			1,012
	Marketable securities	779				81				—			860
	Segregated investments	1,877				—				—			1,877
	Deferred receivables consideration	—				695				—			695
	Total Assets	$	3,669			$	3,942			$	2,074		$	9,685
	Liabilities:
	Unrealized derivative losses:
	Commodity contracts	$	—			$	804			$	261		$	1,065
	Foreign exchange contracts	—				246				—			246
	Interest rate contracts	—				4				—			4
	Inventory-related payables	—				290				20			310
	Total Liabilities	$	—			$	1,344			$	281		$	1,625
		Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013
						Significant				Significant			Total
		Quoted Prices in				Other				Unobservable
		Active Markets				Observable				Inputs
		for Identical				Inputs				(Level 3)
		Assets				(Level 2)
		(Level 1)
		(In millions)
	Assets:
	Inventories carried at market	$	—			$	4,247			$	1,812		$	6,059
	Unrealized derivative gains:
	Commodity contracts	31				540				279			850
	Foreign exchange contracts	30				88				—			118
	Interest rate contracts	—				1				—			1
	Cash equivalents	2,518				—				—			2,518
	Marketable securities	881				26				—			907
	Segregated investments	1,707				—				—			1,707
	Deferred receivables consideration	—				757				—			757
	Total Assets	$	5,167			$	5,659			$	2,091		$	12,917
	Liabilities:
	Unrealized derivative losses:
	Commodity contracts	$	45			$	343			$	261		$	649
	Foreign exchange contracts	—				166				—			166
	Interest rate contracts	—				9				—			9
	Inventory-related payables	—				708				34			742
	Total Liabilities	$	45			$	1,226			$	295		$	1,566
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table presents a reconciliation of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the three months ended September 30, 2014.
		Level 3 Fair Value Asset Measurements at
		30-Sep-14
		Inventories				Commodity
		Carried at				Derivative				Total
		Market				Contracts				Assets
						Gains
		(In millions)
	Balance, June 30, 2014	$	1,139			$	239			$	1,378
	Total increase (decrease) in unrealized gains included in cost of products sold*	(33		)		285				252
	Purchases	2,526				—				2,526
	Sales	(2,352		)		—				(2,352		)
	Settlements	—				(166		)		(166		)
	Transfers into Level 3	266				207				473
	Transfers out of Level 3	(24		)		(13		)		(37		)
	Ending balance, September 30, 2014	$	1,522			$	552			$	2,074
	* Includes increase in unrealized gains of $145 million relating to Level 3 assets still held at September 30, 2014.
	The following table presents a reconciliation of liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the three months ended September 30, 2014.
		Level 3 Fair Value Liability Measurements at
		30-Sep-14
		Inventory-				Commodity
		related				Derivative				Total
		Payables				Contracts				Liabilities
						Losses
		(In millions)
	Balance, June 30, 2014	$	19			$	162			$	181
	Total increase (decrease) in unrealized losses included in cost of products sold*	—				110				110
	Purchases	12				—				12
	Sales	(11		)		—				(11		)
	Settlements	—				(130		)		(130		)
	Transfers into Level 3	—				127				127
	Transfers out of Level 3	—				(8		)		(8		)
	Ending balance, September 30, 2014	$	20			$	261			$	281
	* Includes increase in unrealized losses of $111 million relating to Level 3 liabilities still held at September 30, 2014.
	The following table presents a reconciliation of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the three months ended September 30, 2013.
		Level 3 Fair Value Asset Measurements at
		30-Sep-13
		Inventories				Commodity
		Carried at				Derivative				Total
		Market				Contracts				Assets
						Gains
		(In millions)
	Balance, June 30, 2013	$	1,926			$	267			$	2,193
	Total increase (decrease) in unrealized gains included in cost of products sold*	162				143				305
	Purchases	2,896				—				2,896
	Sales	(3,264		)		—				(3,264		)
	Settlements	—				(153		)		(153		)
	Transfers into Level 3	35				69				104
	Transfers out of Level 3	(483		)		(64		)		(547		)
	Ending balance, September 30, 2013	$	1,272			$	262			$	1,534
	* Includes increase in unrealized gains of $289 million relating to Level 3 assets still held at September 30, 2013.
	The following table presents a reconciliation of liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the three months ended September 30, 2013.
		Level 3 Fair Value Liability Measurements at
		30-Sep-13
		Inventory-				Commodity
		related				Derivative				Total
		Payables				Contracts				Liabilities
						Losses
		(In millions)
	Balance, June 30, 2013	$	63			$	233			$	296
	Total increase (decrease) in unrealized losses included in cost of products sold*	—				127				127
	Purchases	4				—				4
	Sales	(17		)		—				(17		)
Settlements	—				(186		)		(186		)
Transfers into Level 3	—				30				30
Transfers out of Level 3	(41		)		(18		)		(59		)
Ending balance, September 30, 2013	$	9			$	186			$	195
* Includes increase in unrealized losses of $127 million relating to Level 3 liabilities still held at September 30, 2013.
The following table presents a reconciliation of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
	Level 3 Fair Value Asset Measurements at
	30-Sep-14
	Inventories				Commodity
	Carried at				Derivative				Total
	Market				Contracts				Assets
					Gains
	(In millions)
Balance, December 31, 2013	$	1,812			$	279			$	2,091
Total increase (decrease) in unrealized gains included in cost of products sold*	(208		)		507				299
Purchases	10,474				—				10,474
Sales	(10,711		)		—				(10,711		)
Settlements	—				(529		)		(529		)
Transfers into Level 3	266				328				594
Transfers out of Level 3	(111		)		(33		)		(144		)
Ending balance, September 30, 2014	$	1,522			$	552			$	2,074
* Includes increase in unrealized gains of $516 million relating to Level 3 assets still held at September 30, 2014.
The following table presents a reconciliation of liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
	Level 3 Fair Value Liability Measurements at
	30-Sep-14
	Inventory-				Commodity
	related				Derivative				Total
	Payables				Contracts				Liabilities
					Losses
	(In millions)
Balance, December 31, 2013	$	34			$	261			$	295
Total increase (decrease) in unrealized losses included in cost of products sold*	10				384				394
Purchases	18				—				18
Sales	(42		)		—				(42		)
Settlements	—				(580		)		(580		)
Transfers into Level 3	—				234				234
Transfers out of Level 3	—				(38		)		(38		)
Ending balance, September 30, 2014	$	20			$	261			$	281
* Includes increase in unrealized losses of $397 million relating to Level 3 liabilities still held at September 30, 2014.
The following table presents a reconciliation of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Level 3 Fair Value Asset Measurements at
	30-Sep-13
	Inventories				Commodity
	Carried at				Derivative				Total
	Market				Contracts				Assets
					Gains
	(In millions)
Balance, December 31, 2012	$	1,745			$	143			$	1,888
Total increase (decrease) in unrealized gains included in cost of products sold*	(677		)		372				(305		)
Purchases	11,795				—				11,795
Sales	(11,576		)		—				(11,576		)
Settlements	—				(381		)		(381		)
Transfers into Level 3	35				209				244
Transfers out of Level 3	(50		)		(81		)		(131		)
Ending balance, September 30, 2013	$	1,272			$	262			$	1,534
* Includes increase in unrealized gains of $553 million relating to Level 3 assets still held at September 30, 2013.
The following table presents a reconciliation of liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.
	Level 3 Fair Value Liability Measurements at
	30-Sep-13
	Inventory-				Commodity
	related				Derivative				Total
	Payables				Contracts				Liabilities
					Losses
	(In millions)
Balance, December 31, 2012	$	33			$	138			$	171
Total increase (decrease) in unrealized losses included in cost of products sold*	(191		)		382				191
Purchases	190				—				190
Sales	(23		)		—				(23		)
Settlements	—				(397		)		(397		)
Transfers into Level 3	—				104				104
Transfers out of Level 3	—				(41		)		(41		)
Ending balance, September 30, 2013	$	9			$	186			$	195
* Includes increase in unrealized losses of $237 million relating to Level 3 liabilities still held at September 30, 2013.
Unobservable Price Components Present in the Level 3 Valuations of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis	'
	The following table sets forth the weighted average percentage of the unobservable price components included in the Company’s Level 3 valuations as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The Company’s Level 3 measurements may include Basis only, transportation cost only, or both price components. As an example, for Level 3 inventories with Basis, the unobservable component as of September 30, 2014 is a weighted average 32.1% of the total price for assets and 30.8% for liabilities.
		Weighted Average % of Total Price
		September 30, 2014						December 31, 2013
	Component Type	Assets			Liabilities			Assets			Liabilities
	Inventories and Related Payables
	Basis	32.1	%		30.8	%		21.9	%		13.2	%
	Transportation cost	11.4	%		—	%		12.3	%		—	%
	Commodity Derivative Contracts
	Basis	20.1	%		18.5	%		22.8	%		17.6	%
	Transportation cost	8.1	%		24.4	%		32.5	%		12.3	%

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed1

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Derivatives Instruments Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location [Table Text Block]	'
	The following table sets forth the fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
		September 30, 2014								December 31, 2013
		Assets				Liabilities				Assets		Liabilities
		(In millions)								(In millions)
	Interest Contracts	$	3			$	4			$	0	$	9
	Total	$	3			$	4			$	0	$	9
	The following tables set forth the pre-tax gains (losses) on derivatives designated as hedging instruments that have been included in the consolidated statements of earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
				Three months ended
		Consolidated Statement of		September 30,
		Earnings Locations		2014				2013
				(In millions)
	Effective amounts recognized in earnings
	FX Contracts	Other income/expense – net		$	2			$	0
	Interest Contracts	Interest expense		1				1
	Commodity Contracts	Cost of products sold		(110		)		(2		)
		Revenues		(1		)		(2		)
	Ineffective amount recognized in earnings
	Commodity Contracts	Revenues		(4		)		—
		Cost of products sold		(12		)		(73		)
	Total amount recognized in earnings			$	(124	)		$	(76	)
				Nine months ended
		Consolidated Statement of		September 30,
		Earnings Locations		2014				2013
				(In millions)
	Effective amounts recognized in earnings
	FX Contracts	Other income/expense – net		$	2			$	0
	Interest Contracts	Interest expense		1				1
	Commodity Contracts	Cost of products sold		(103		)		(7		)
		Revenues		(86		)		3
	Ineffective amount recognized in earnings
	Commodity Contracts	Revenues		(28		)		—
		Cost of products sold		(19		)		(128		)
	Total amount recognized in earnings			$	(233	)		$	(131	)
	The following table sets forth the fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.
		September 30, 2014								December 31, 2013
		Assets				Liabilities				Assets		Liabilities
		(In millions)								(In millions)
	FX Contracts	$	239			$	246			$	118	$	166
	Interest Contracts	—				—				1		—
	Commodity Contracts	1,289				1,065				850		649
	Total	$	1,528			$	1,311			$	969	$	815
	The following tables set forth the pre-tax gains (losses) on derivatives not designated as hedging instruments that have been included in the consolidated statements of earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
		Three months ended September 30,
		2014				2013
		(In millions)
	Interest Contracts
	Interest expense	$	—			$	0
	Other income (expense) – net	—				1
	FX Contracts
	Revenues	$	5			$	(3	)
	Cost of products sold	17				29
	Other income (expense) – net	(148		)		85
	Commodity Contracts
	Cost of products sold	$	720			$	(3	)
	Total gain (loss) recognized in earnings	$	594			$	109
		Nine months ended September 30,
		2014				2013
		(In millions)
	Interest Contracts
	Interest expense	$	—			$	0
	Other income (expense) – net	0				1
	FX Contracts
	Revenues	$	(3	)		$	106
Cost of products sold	105				(58		)
Other income (expense) – net	(172		)		30
Commodity Contracts
Cost of products sold	$	213			$	204
Total gain (loss) recognized in earnings	$	143			$	283
Schedule Of Changes In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Related To Derivative Gains (Losses)	'
	The following tables set forth the changes in AOCI related to derivatives gains (losses) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.
		Three months ended
		September 30,
		2014				2013
		(In millions)
	Balance at June 30, 2014 and 2013	$	(12	)		$	6
	Unrealized gains (losses)	(49		)		13
	Losses (gains) reclassified to earnings	108				3
	Tax effect	(23		)		(7		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014 and 2013	$	24			$	15
		Nine months ended
		September 30,
		2014				2013
		(In millions)
	Balance at December 31, 2013 and 2012	$	5			$	4
	Unrealized gains (losses)	(154		)		15
	Losses (gains) reclassified to earnings	186				3
	Tax effect	(13		)		(7		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014 and 2013	$	24			$	15

Marketable_Securities_Tables

Marketable Securities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Marketable Securities [Table Text Block]	'
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair
				Gains		Losses			Value
		(In millions)
	September 30, 2014
	United States government obligations
	Maturity less than 1 year	$	282	$	—	$	—		$	282
	Maturity 1 to 5 years	90		—		—			90
	Government–sponsored enterprise obligations
	Maturity 1 to 5 years	1		—		—			1
	Corporate debt securities
	Maturity 1 to 5 years	74		—		—			74
	Other debt securities
	Maturity less than 1 year	66		—		—			66
	Maturity 1 to 5 years	3		—		—			3
	Equity securities
	Available-for-sale	355		2		(7		)	350
		$	871	$	2	$	(7	)	$	866
		Cost		Unrealized		Unrealized			Fair
				Gains		Losses			Value
		(In millions)
	December 31, 2013
	United States government obligations
	Maturity less than 1 year	$	395	$	—	$	—		$	395
	Maturity 1 to 5 years	124		—		—			124
	Government–sponsored enterprise obligations
	Maturity 1 to 5 years	4		—		—			4
	Corporate debt securities
	Maturity 1 to 5 years	16		—		—			16
	Other debt securities
	Maturity less than 1 year	38		—		—			38
	Maturity 1 to 5 years	3		—		—			3
	Equity securities
	Available-for-sale	362		1		(2		)	361
		$	942	$	1	$	(2	)	$	941

Other_Current_Assets_Tables

Other Current Assets (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Other Assets [Abstract]	'
Other Current Assets	'
	The following table sets forth the items in other current assets:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(In millions)
	Unrealized gains on derivative contracts	$	1,531	$	969
	Deferred receivables consideration	695		757
	Customer omnibus receivable	1,489		1,298
	Financing receivables - net (1)	371		576
	Other current assets	2,760		2,750
		$	6,846	$	6,350

Accrued_Expenses_And_Other_Pay1

Accrued Expenses And Other Payables (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
Accrued Expenses And Other Payables	'
	The following table sets forth the items in accrued expenses and other payables:
		September 30,		December 31,
		2014		2013
		(In millions)
	Unrealized losses on derivative contracts	$	1,315	$	824
	Accrued expenses and other payables	3,362		3,966
		$	4,677	$	4,790

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI) (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]	'
Reclassification Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	The following tables set forth the changes in AOCI by component for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and the reclassifications out of AOCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013:
		Three months ended September 30, 2014
		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment				Deferred Gain (Loss) on Hedging Activities				Pension Liability Adjustment				Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments				Total
		(In millions)
	Balance at June 30, 2014	$	270			$	(12	)		$	(323	)		$	(5	)		$	(70	)
	Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(462		)		(49		)		8				10				(493		)
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI	—				108				6				—				114
	Tax effect	7				(23		)		(4		)		—				(20		)
	Net current period other comprehensive income	(455		)		36				10				10				(399		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	(185	)		$	24			$	(313	)		$	5			$	(469	)
		Nine months ended September 30, 2014
		Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment				Deferred Gain (Loss) on Hedging Activities				Pension Liability Adjustment				Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments				Total
		(In millions)
	Balance at December 31, 2013	$	269			$	5			$	(330	)		$	(1	)		$	(57	)
	Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	(462		)		(154		)		8				3				(605		)
	Amounts reclassified from AOCI	—				186				16				—				202
	Tax effect	8				(13		)		(7		)		3				(9		)
	Net current period other comprehensive income	(454		)		19				17				6				(412		)
	Balance at September 30, 2014	$	(185	)		$	24			$	(313	)		$	5			$	(469	)
Details about AOCI Components	'
			Amount reclassified from AOCI
			Three months ended								Nine months ended
	Details about AOCI components		Sep 30				Sep 30				Sep 30				Sep 30				Affected line item in the consolidated statement of earnings
			2014				2013				2014				2013
			(In millions)
	Deferred loss (gain) on hedging activities
			$	110			$	2			$	103			$	7			Cost of products sold
			(1		)		(1		)		(1		)		(1		)		Interest expense
			(2		)		—				(2		)		—				Other income/expense
			1				2				86				(3		)		Revenues
			108				3				186				3				Total before tax
			(40		)		(1		)		(69		)		(1		)		Tax
			$	68			$	2			$	117			$	2			Net of tax
	Pension liability adjustment
	Amortization of defined benefit pension items:
	Prior service credit		$	(3	)		$	(3	)		$	(11	)		$	(11	)
	Actuarial losses		9				18				27				56
			6				15				16				45				Total before tax
			(2		)		(5		)		(5		)		(16		)		Tax
			$	4			$	10			$	11			$	29			Net of tax
	Unrealized loss on investments
			$	—			$	9			$	—			$	9			Asset impairment, exit, and restructuring costs
			—				(3		)		—				(3		)		Tax
			$	—			$	6			$	—			$	6			Net of tax

Other_Income_Expense_Net_Table

Other (Income) Expense - Net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]	'
Other (Income) Expense - Net	'
	The following tables set forth the items in other (income) expense:
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In millions)
	Gains on sales of assets	$	(163	)	$	(6	)	$	(197	)	$	(27	)
	Net gain on marketable securities transactions	—			(2		)	—			(7		)
	Loss (Gain) on foreign exchange hedges	102			(26		)	102			25
	Other – net	5			(1		)	19			(1		)
	Other (Income) Expense - Net	$	(56	)	$	(35	)	$	(76	)	$	(10	)
	Gains on sales of assets for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 includes a gain of $156 million upon the Company's effective dilution in the Pacificor (formerly Kalama Export Company) joint venture, resulting from the contribution of additional assets by another member in exchange for new equity units. The transaction occurred on September 30, 2014, and the gain was determined on a preliminary basis subject to a final valuation which will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2014.
	The loss on foreign exchange hedges for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was due to losses on Euro foreign currency derivative contracts entered into to economically hedge the anticipated Wild Flavors acquisition (see Note 15). The loss (gain) on foreign exchange hedges for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was due to losses (gains) on Australian dollar foreign currency derivative contracts entered into to economically hedge the proposed GrainCorp Limited (GrainCorp) acquisition.

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Information	'
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In millions)
	Gross revenues
	Oilseeds Processing	$	8,484		$	10,429		$	26,703		$	29,512
	Corn Processing	2,928			3,437			8,879			10,210
	Agricultural Services	8,276			9,829			29,653			32,629
	Other	145			84			420			261
	Intersegment elimination	(1,716		)	(2,386		)	(5,348		)	(6,951		)
	Total gross revenues	$	18,117		$	21,393		$	60,307		$	65,661
	Intersegment sales
	Oilseeds Processing	$	630		$	1,213		$	2,205		$	2,817
	Corn Processing	32			44			82			126
	Agricultural Services	992			1,078			2,882			3,848
	Other	62			51			179			160
	Total intersegment sales	$	1,716		$	2,386		$	5,348		$	6,951
	Revenues from external customers
	Oilseeds Processing
	Crushing and Origination	$	4,632		$	5,588		$	14,615		$	15,950
	Refining, Packaging, Biodiesel, and Other	2,253			2,666			6,955			7,799
	Cocoa and Other	895			809			2,559			2,403
	Asia	74			153			369			543
	Total Oilseeds Processing	7,854			9,216			24,498			26,695
	Corn Processing
	Sweeteners and Starches	1,003			1,206			2,879			3,710
	Bioproducts	1,893			2,187			5,918			6,374
	Total Corn Processing	2,896			3,393			8,797			10,084
	Agricultural Services
	Merchandising and Handling	6,206			7,617			23,586			25,380
	Milling and Other	1,000			1,066			3,004			3,238
	Transportation	78			68			181			163
	Total Agricultural Services	7,284			8,751			26,771			28,781
	Other
	Financial	83			33			241			101
	Total Other	83			33			241			101
	Total revenues from external customers	$	18,117		$	21,393		$	60,307		$	65,661
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(In millions)
	Segment operating profit
	Oilseeds Processing
	Crushing and Origination	$	214		$	242		$	538		$	583
	Refining, Packaging, Biodiesel, and Other	96			85			328			286
	Cocoa and Other	26			5			51			(23		)
	Asia	26			29			106			149
	Total Oilseeds Processing	362			361			1,023			995
	Corn Processing
	Sweeteners and Starches	170			100			414			302
	Bioproducts	193			59			492			233
	Total Corn Processing	363			159			906			535
	Agricultural Services
	Merchandising and Handling	220			4			404			104
	Milling and Other	60			77			172			200
	Transportation	35			21			95			30
	Total Agricultural Services	315			102			671			334
	Other
	Financial	33			(16		)	52			19
	Total Other	33			(16		)	52			19
	Total segment operating profit	1,073			606			2,652			1,883
	Corporate	(40		)	103			(518		)	(482		)
	Earnings before income taxes	$	1,033		$	709		$	2,134		$	1,401

Basis_of_Presentation_Basis_of

Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Basis of Presentation [Abstract]	'	'	'
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	20.00%	20.00%	'
Acquisition of noncontrolling interest	($157)	($157)	$0
Loss on purchase of noncontrolling interest	$12	'	'

Fair_Value_Measurements_Narrat

Fair Value Measurements (Narrative) (Details) (Weighted Average [Member], Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member], Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member])	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Inventory Related Payables [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]	'	'
Basis	30.80%	13.20%
Inventories Carried At Market [Member]	'	'
Fair Value Measurements [Line Items]	'	'
Basis	32.10%	21.90%

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V

Fair Value Measurements (Fair Value Measurements At Reporting Date) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets:	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	$866	$941
Deferred receivables consideration	695	757
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Inventories carried at market	3,710	6,059
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	1,012	2,518
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	860	907
Restricted Investments, at Fair Value	1,877	1,707
Deferred receivables consideration	695	757
Total Assets	9,685	12,917
Liabilities:	'	'
Inventory-related payables	310	742
Total Liabilities	1,625	1,566
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Commodity Contracts [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Derivative Asset	1,289	850
Derivative Liability	1,065	649
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Derivative Asset	239	118
Derivative Liability	246	166
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Interest Rate Contracts [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Derivative Asset	3	1
Derivative Liability	4	9
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Inventories carried at market	0	0
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	1,012	2,518
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	779	881
Restricted Investments, at Fair Value	1,877	1,707
Deferred receivables consideration	0	0
Total Assets	3,669	5,167
Liabilities:	'	'
Inventory-related payables	0	0
Total Liabilities	0	45
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Commodity Contracts [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Derivative Asset	0	31
Derivative Liability	0	45
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Derivative Asset	1	30
Derivative Liability	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Interest Rate Contracts [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Derivative Asset	0	0
Derivative Liability	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Inventories carried at market	2,188	4,247
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	81	26
Deferred receivables consideration	695	757
Total Assets	3,942	5,659
Liabilities:	'	'
Inventory-related payables	290	708
Total Liabilities	1,344	1,226
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Commodity Contracts [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Derivative Asset	737	540
Derivative Liability	804	343
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Derivative Asset	238	88
Derivative Liability	246	166
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Interest Rate Contracts [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Derivative Asset	3	1
Derivative Liability	4	9
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Inventories carried at market	1,522	1,812
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Deferred receivables consideration	0	0
Total Assets	2,074	2,091
Liabilities:	'	'
Inventory-related payables	20	34
Total Liabilities	281	295
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Commodity Contracts [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Derivative Asset	552	279
Derivative Liability	261	261
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contracts [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Derivative Asset	0	0
Derivative Liability	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Interest Rate Contracts [Member]	'	'
Assets:	'	'
Derivative Asset	0	0
Derivative Liability	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Measurements_Reconc

Fair Value Measurements (Reconciliation Of Assets Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss)	$145		$289		$516		$553
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Balance at beginning of period	1,378		2,193		2,091		1,888
Total increase (decrease) in unrealized gains included in cost of products sold	252	[1]	305	[2]	299	[3]	-305	[4]
Purchases	2,526		2,896		10,474		11,795
Sales	-2,352		-3,264		-10,711		-11,576
Settlements	-166		-153		-529		-381
Transfers into Level 3	473		104		594		244
Transfers out of Level 3	-37		-547		-144		-131
Balance at end of period	2,074		1,534		2,074		1,534
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Inventories Carried At Market [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Balance at beginning of period	1,139		1,926		1,812		1,745
Total increase (decrease) in unrealized gains included in cost of products sold	-33	[1]	162	[2]	-208	[3]	-677	[4]
Purchases	2,526		2,896		10,474		11,795
Sales	-2,352		-3,264		-10,711		-11,576
Settlements	0		0		0		0
Transfers into Level 3	266		35		266		35
Transfers out of Level 3	-24		-483		-111		-50
Balance at end of period	1,522		1,272		1,522		1,272
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Commodity Derivative Contracts Gains [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Balance at beginning of period	239		267		279		143
Total increase (decrease) in unrealized gains included in cost of products sold	285	[1]	143	[2]	507	[3]	372	[4]
Purchases	0		0		0		0
Sales	0		0		0		0
Settlements	-166		-153		-529		-381
Transfers into Level 3	207		69		328		209
Transfers out of Level 3	-13		-64		-33		-81
Balance at end of period	$552		$262		$552		$262
[1]	Includes increase in unrealized gains of $145 million relating to Level 3 assets still held at SeptemberB 30, 2014.
[2]	* Includes increase in unrealized gains of $289 million relating to Level 3 assets still held at SeptemberB 30, 2013.
[3]	* Includes increase in unrealized gains of $516 million relating to Level 3 assets still held at SeptemberB 30, 2014.
[4]	* Includes increase in unrealized gains of $553 million relating to Level 3 assets still held at SeptemberB 30, 2013.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Reconc1

Fair Value Measurements (Reconciliation Of Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Change in Unrealized Gain (Loss)	$111		$127		$397		$237
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Balance at beginning of period	181		296		295		171
Total increase (decrease) in unrealized losses included in cost of products sold	110	[1]	127	[2]	394	[3]	191	[4]
Purchases	12		4		18		190
Sales	-11		-17		-42		-23
Settlements	-130		-186		-580		-397
Transfers into Level 3	127		30		234		104
Transfers out of Level 3	-8		-59		-38		-41
Balance at end of period	281		195		281		195
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Inventory Related Payables [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Balance at beginning of period	19		63		34		33
Total increase (decrease) in unrealized losses included in cost of products sold	0	[1]	0	[2]	10	[3]	-191	[4]
Purchases	12		4		18		190
Sales	-11		-17		-42		-23
Settlements	0		0		0		0
Transfers into Level 3	0		0		0		0
Transfers out of Level 3	0		-41		0		0
Balance at end of period	20		9		20		9
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member] | Commodity Derivative Contracts Losses [Member]	'		'		'		'
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation [Line Items]	'		'		'		'
Balance at beginning of period	162		233		261		138
Total increase (decrease) in unrealized losses included in cost of products sold	110	[1]	127	[2]	384	[3]	382	[4]
Purchases	0		0		0		0
Sales	0		0		0		0
Settlements	-130		-186		-580		-397
Transfers into Level 3	127		30		234		104
Transfers out of Level 3	-8		-18		-38		-41
Balance at end of period	$261		$186		$261		$186
[1]	Includes increase in unrealized losses of $111 million relating to Level 3 liabilities still held at SeptemberB 30, 2014.
[2]	* Includes increase in unrealized losses of $127 million relating to Level 3 liabilities still held at SeptemberB 30, 2013.
[3]	* Includes increase in unrealized losses of $397 million relating to Level 3 liabilities still held at SeptemberB 30, 2014.
[4]	* Includes increase in unrealized losses of $237 million relating to Level 3 liabilities still held at SeptemberB 30, 2013.

Fair_Value_Measurements_Unobse

Fair Value Measurements (Unobservable Inputs In Level 3 Valuations Of Assets And Liabilities Measured At Fair Value On A Recurring Basis) (Details) (Weighted Average [Member], Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) [Member], Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member])	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Inventory Related Payables [Member]	'	'
Unobservable inputs in Level 3 Valuations of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Basis	30.80%	13.20%
Transportation cost	0.00%	0.00%
Commodity Derivative Contracts Losses [Member]	'	'
Unobservable inputs in Level 3 Valuations of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Basis	18.50%	17.60%
Transportation cost	24.40%	12.30%
Inventories Carried At Market [Member]	'	'
Unobservable inputs in Level 3 Valuations of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Basis	32.10%	21.90%
Transportation cost	11.40%	12.30%
Commodity Derivative Contracts Gains [Member]	'	'
Unobservable inputs in Level 3 Valuations of Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'
Basis	20.10%	22.80%
Transportation cost	8.10%	32.50%

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed2

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
		bu	Designated As Hedging Instrument [Member]	Designated As Hedging Instrument [Member]	Corn [Member]	Corn [Member]	Ethanol [Member]	Ethanol [Member]
					Designated As Hedging Instrument [Member]	Designated As Hedging Instrument [Member]	Designated As Hedging Instrument [Member]	Designated As Hedging Instrument [Member]
							gal	gal
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Interest Rate Derivative Assets, at Fair Value	$3	$3	$3	$0	'	'	'	'
Interest Rate Derivative Liabilities, at Fair Value	4	4	4	9	'	'	'	'
After-tax losses in AOCI from commodity cash flow hedge transactions	'	'	($9)	'	'	'	'	'
Number of months price risk cash flow hedges gain loss will be recognized in earnings	'12 months	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Corn processed per month (in bushels)	'	76,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Historical time period of hedge percentages	'	'	'	'	'	'12 months	'	'
Percentage of anticipated commodity purchases or production hedged during historical hedging period, low end of range (as a percent)	'	'	'	'	'	16.00%	'	'
Percentage of anticipated commodity purchases or production hedged during historical hedging period, high end of range (as a percent)	'	'	'	'	'	71.00%	'	'
Percentage of anticipated commodity purchases or production hedged over future hedging period, low end of range (as a percent)	'	'	'	'	0.10%	0.10%	'	'
Percentage of anticipated commodity purchases or production hedged over future hedging period, high end of range (as a percent)	'	'	'	'	44.00%	44.00%	'	'
Derivative Hedged Item Past Period of Time Hedged Volumes	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'12 months
Commodity sales volume hedged during historical hedging period, low end of range (in gallons)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	9,000,000
Commodity sales volume hedged during historical hedging period, high end of range (in gallons)	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	109,000,000
Derivative Hedged Item Time Period	'	'	'	'	'12 months	'	'9 months	'
Contracted commodity sales volume hedged over future hedging period, low end of range (in gallons)	'	'	'	'	'	'	1,000,000	1,000,000
Contracted commodity sales volume hedged over future hedging period, high end of range (in gallons)	'	'	'	'	'	'	61,000,000	61,000,000

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed3

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Fair Value Of Derivatives Not Designated As Hedging Instruments) (Details) (Not Designated As Hedging Instrument [Member], USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Not Designated As Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
FX Contracts Assets	$239	$118
Interest Contracts Assets	0	1
Interest Rate Derivative Liabilities, at Fair Value	0	0
Commodity Contracts Assets	1,289	850
Total fair value of derivative assets not designated as hedging instruments	1,528	969
FX Contracts Liabilities	246	166
Commodity Contracts Liabilities	1,065	649
Total fair value of derivative liabilities not designated as hedging instruments.	$1,311	$815

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed4

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Pre-Tax Gains (Losses) On Derivatives Not Designated As Hedging Instruments) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total gain (loss) recognized in earnings	$594	$109	'	'
Not Designated As Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total gain (loss) recognized in earnings	'	'	143	283
Interest Expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Interest Contracts	0	0	0	0
Other Income (Expense) - Net [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Interest Contracts	0	1	0	1
FX Contracts	-148	85	-172	30
Revenues [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
FX Contracts	5	-3	-3	106
Cost Of Products Sold [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
FX Contracts	17	29	105	-58
Commodity Contracts	$720	($3)	$213	$204

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed5

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Fair Value Of Derivatives Designated As Hedging Instruments) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Interest Rate Derivative Assets, at Fair Value	$3	'
Interest Rate Derivative Liabilities, at Fair Value	4	'
Designated As Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'
Derivative [Line Items]	'	'
Interest Rate Derivative Assets, at Fair Value	3	0
Interest Rate Derivative Liabilities, at Fair Value	4	9
Derivative Instruments in Hedges, Assets, at Fair Value	3	0
Derivative Instruments in Hedges, Liabilities, at Fair Value	$4	$9

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed6

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Pre-Tax Gains (Losses) On Derivatives Designated As Hedging Instruments) (Details) (Designated As Hedging Instrument [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Derivative Instruments, Gains (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Total amount recognized in earnings	($124)	($76)	($233)	($131)
Interest Expense [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gains (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Interest contracts effective amount recognized in earnings	1	1	1	1
Cost Of Products Sold [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gains (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Commodity Contracts effective amount recognized in earnings	-110	-2	-103	-7
Commodity contracts ineffective amount recognized in earnings	-12	-73	-19	-128
Revenues [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gains (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Commodity Contracts effective amount recognized in earnings	-1	-2	-86	3
Commodity contracts ineffective amount recognized in earnings	-4	0	-28	0
Other Income (Expense) - Net [Member]	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gains (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
FX Contracts effective amount recognized in earnings	$2	$0	$2	$0

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed7

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Changes in AOCI Related to Derivative Gains (Losses)) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) at Beginning of Period	($70)	'	($57)	'
Unrealized gains (losses)	-493	'	-605	'
Losses (gains) reclassified to earnings	114	'	202	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax, portion attributable to parent	-20	'	-9	'
Balance of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) at End of period	-469	'	-469	'
Deferred Gain (Loss) On Hedging Activities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'
Balance of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) at Beginning of Period	-12	6	5	4
Unrealized gains (losses)	-49	13	-154	15
Losses (gains) reclassified to earnings	108	3	186	3
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax, portion attributable to parent	-23	-7	-13	-7
Balance of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) at End of period	$24	$15	$24	$15

Marketable_Securities_Narrativ

Marketable Securities (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
	security
Investments, Debt and Equity Securities [Abstract]	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss, Accumulated in Investments	$7
Unrealized losses that arose within the last 12 months	5
Number of available-for-sale equity securities with unrealized losses (in securities)	1
Market value of the investments that have been in an unrealized loss position for less than 12 months	6
Available-for-sale Securities, Continuous Unrealized Loss Position, Twelve Months or Longer, Fair Value	$4
Available-for-sale, Securities in Unrealized Loss Positions, Qualitative Disclosure, Number of Positions, Greater than or Equal to One Year	1

Marketable_Securities_Details

Marketable Securities (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain, Accumulated in Investments	$2	$1
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss, Accumulated in Investments	-7	-2
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	871	942
Available-for-sale Securities	866	941
United States Government Obligations [Member] | Maturity Less Than 1 Year [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	282	395
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain, Accumulated in Investments	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss, Accumulated in Investments	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	282	395
United States Government Obligations [Member] | Maturity 1 To 5 Years [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	90	124
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain, Accumulated in Investments	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss, Accumulated in Investments	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	90	124
Government-Sponsored Enterprise Obligations [Member] | Maturity 1 To 5 Years [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	1	4
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain, Accumulated in Investments	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss, Accumulated in Investments	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	1	4
Corporate Debt Securities [Member] | Maturity 1 To 5 Years [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	74	16
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain, Accumulated in Investments	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss, Accumulated in Investments	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	74	16
Other Debt Securities [Member] | Maturity Less Than 1 Year [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	66	38
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain, Accumulated in Investments	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss, Accumulated in Investments	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	66	38
Other Debt Securities [Member] | Maturity 1 To 5 Years [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	3	3
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain, Accumulated in Investments	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss, Accumulated in Investments	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities	3	3
Equity Securities [Member]	'	'
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]	'	'
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain, Accumulated in Investments	2	1
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Loss, Accumulated in Investments	-7	-2
Available-for-sale Equity Securities, Amortized Cost Basis	355	362
Available-for-sale Securities, Equity Securities	$350	$361

Other_Current_Assets_Details

Other Current Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Other Assets [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Losses	$12	'	$12	'	$15
Unrealized gains on derivative contracts	1,531	'	1,531	'	969
Deferred receivables consideration	695	'	695	'	757
Receivables from Customers	1,489	'	1,489	'	1,298
Financing Receivable, Net	371	'	371	'	576
Other current assets	2,760	'	2,760	'	2,750
Total other current assets	6,846	'	6,846	'	6,350
Provision for Other Credit Losses	'	'	2	'	'
Allowance for credit losses adjustment	'	'	5	'	'
Interest on financing receivables	$5	$4	$17	$18	'

Accrued_Expenses_And_Other_Pay2

Accrued Expenses And Other Payables (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'	'
Unrealized losses on derivative contracts	$1,315	$824
Accrued expenses and other payables	3,362	3,966
Total accrued expenses and other payables	$4,677	$4,790

Debt_And_Financing_Arrangement1

Debt And Financing Arrangements (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Billions, unless otherwise specified
Debt And Financing Arrangements [Line Items]	'
Excess of fair value over carrying value of long-term debt	$1.20
Convertible senior notes point eight seven five percent due two thousand fourteen [Member]	'
Debt And Financing Arrangements [Line Items]	'
Debt instrument face amount	1.15
Line of Credit [Member]	'
Debt And Financing Arrangements [Line Items]	'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	6.7
Unused lines of credit	6.6
Commercial Paper [Member]	'
Debt And Financing Arrangements [Line Items]	'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	4
Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility [Member]	'
Debt And Financing Arrangements [Line Items]	'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	1.6
Used lines of credit	$1.30

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Effective income tax rate	27.60%	32.20%	27.50%	30.30%
Brazilian Federal Revenue Service [Member]	'	'	'	'
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Number of separate tax assessments	3	'	3	'
Estimated Tax Assessment Including Penalties and Interest	527	'	527	'
Estimated Additional Tax Assessment	60	'	60	'
Argentine Tax Authorities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Income Taxes [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Estimated Additional Tax Assessment	367	'	367	'
Estimated Tax Assessment Including Interest	37	'	37	'

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Balance of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) at Beginning of Period	($70)	'	($57)	'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-493	'	-605	'
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	114	'	202	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax, portion attributable to parent	-20	'	-9	'
Balance of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) at End of period	-469	'	-469	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-399	'	-412	'
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Balance of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) at Beginning of Period	270	'	269	'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-462	'	-462	'
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	0	'	0	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax, portion attributable to parent	7	'	8	'
Balance of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) at End of period	-185	'	-185	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-455	'	-454	'
Deferred Gain (Loss) On Hedging Activities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Balance of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) at Beginning of Period	-12	6	5	4
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	-49	13	-154	15
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	108	3	186	3
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax, portion attributable to parent	-23	-7	-13	-7
Balance of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) at End of period	24	15	24	15
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	36	'	19	'
Pension Liability Adjustment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Balance of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) at Beginning of Period	-323	'	-330	'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	8	'	8	'
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	6	'	16	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax, portion attributable to parent	-4	'	-7	'
Balance of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) at End of period	-313	'	-313	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	10	'	17	'
Unrealized Gain (Loss) On Investments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Balance of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) at Beginning of Period	-5	'	-1	'
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	10	'	3	'
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	0	'	0	'
Other comprehensive income (loss), tax, portion attributable to parent	0	'	3	'
Balance of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) at End of period	5	'	5	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	$10	'	$6	'

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI) Components (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	$79	$105	$251	$318
Other (income) expense - net	-56	-35	-76	-10
Revenues	-18,117	-21,393	-60,307	-65,661
Earnings Before Income Taxes	-1,033	-709	-2,134	-1,401
Asset impairment, exit, and restructuring costs	0	23	31	23
Tax	285	228	586	424
Net Earnings Including Noncontrolling Interests	-748	-481	-1,548	-977
Reclassification Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Deferred (Gain) Loss On Hedging Activities [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Cost of Goods Sold	110	2	103	7
Interest expense	-1	-1	-1	-1
Other (income) expense - net	-2	0	-2	0
Revenues	1	2	86	-3
Earnings Before Income Taxes	108	3	186	3
Tax	-40	-1	-69	-1
Net Earnings Including Noncontrolling Interests	68	2	117	2
Reclassification Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Pension Liability Adjustment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Prior service cost (credit)	-3	-3	-11	-11
Actuarial (gains ) losses	9	18	27	56
Earnings Before Income Taxes	6	15	16	45
Tax	-2	-5	-5	-16
Net Earnings Including Noncontrolling Interests	4	10	11	29
Reclassification Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Unrealized (Gain) Loss On Investments [Member]	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	'	'	'	'
Asset impairment, exit, and restructuring costs	0	9	0	9
Tax	0	-3	0	-3
Net Earnings Including Noncontrolling Interests	$0	$6	$0	$6

Other_Income_Expense_Details

Other (Income) Expense (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Other Income and Expenses [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gains on sales of assets	($163)	($6)	($197)	($27)
Marketable Securities, (Gain) Loss	0	-2	0	-7
Loss (Gain) on foreign exchange hedges	102	-26	102	25
Other - net	5	-1	19	-1
Other (Income) Expense - Net	-56	-35	-76	-10
JV Conversion [Member]	'	'	'	'
Other Income and Expenses [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Gains on sales of assets	($156)	'	($156)	'

Segment_Information_Narrative_

Segment Information (Narrative) (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
	segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Number of reportable segments	3
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	20.00%

Segment_Information_Segment_In

Segment Information (Segment Information) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$18,117	$21,393	$60,307	$65,661
Earnings Before Income Taxes	1,033	709	2,134	1,401
Segment Total [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'
Segment Operating Profit	1,073	606	2,652	1,883
Oilseeds Processing [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	7,854	9,216	24,498	26,695
Segment Operating Profit	362	361	1,023	995
Crushing and origination [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	4,632	5,588	14,615	15,950
Segment Operating Profit	214	242	538	583
Refining, packaging, biodiesel, and other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	2,253	2,666	6,955	7,799
Segment Operating Profit	96	85	328	286
Cocoa and other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	895	809	2,559	2,403
Segment Operating Profit	26	5	51	-23
Asia [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	74	153	369	543
Segment Operating Profit	26	29	106	149
Corn Processing [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	2,896	3,393	8,797	10,084
Segment Operating Profit	363	159	906	535
Sweeteners and starches [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	1,003	1,206	2,879	3,710
Segment Operating Profit	170	100	414	302
Bioproducts [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	1,893	2,187	5,918	6,374
Segment Operating Profit	193	59	492	233
Agricultural Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	7,284	8,751	26,771	28,781
Segment Operating Profit	315	102	671	334
Merchandising and handling [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	6,206	7,617	23,586	25,380
Segment Operating Profit	220	4	404	104
Transportation [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	78	68	181	163
Segment Operating Profit	35	21	95	30
Milling and other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	1,000	1,066	3,004	3,238
Segment Operating Profit	60	77	172	200
Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	83	33	241	101
Segment Operating Profit	33	-16	52	19
Financial [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	83	33	241	101
Segment Operating Profit	33	-16	52	19
Corporate Segment [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'
Corporate Results	-40	103	-518	-482
Gross Revenues [Member] | Oilseeds Processing [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	8,484	10,429	26,703	29,512
Gross Revenues [Member] | Corn Processing [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	2,928	3,437	8,879	10,210
Gross Revenues [Member] | Agricultural Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	8,276	9,829	29,653	32,629
Gross Revenues [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	145	84	420	261
Intersegment Elimination [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	1,716	2,386	5,348	6,951
Intersegment Elimination [Member] | Oilseeds Processing [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	630	1,213	2,205	2,817
Intersegment Elimination [Member] | Corn Processing [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	32	44	82	126
Intersegment Elimination [Member] | Agricultural Services [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	992	1,078	2,882	3,848
Intersegment Elimination [Member] | Other [Member]	'	'	'	'
Segment Information	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$62	$51	$179	$160

Asset_Impairment_Exit_and_Rest1

Asset Impairment, Exit, and Restructuring Costs (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Asset impairment, exit, and restructuring costs	$0	$23	$31	$23
Asset Impairment Charges	'	12	'	12
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Available-for-sale Securities	'	11	'	11
Relocation costs [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Asset impairment, exit, and restructuring costs	'	'	16	'
Restructuring Charges [Member]	'	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Asset impairment, exit, and restructuring costs	'	'	$15	'

Sale_of_Accounts_Receivable_Na

Sale of Accounts Receivable (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Accounts Receivable Securitization Programs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Proceeds from Sale and Collection of Receivables	'	'	$23,700,000,000	$27,800,000,000	'
Collections applied to deferred consideration	'	'	22,400,000,000	27,800,000,000	'
Cash payments received in exchange for the transfer of accounts receivable	2,000,000,000	'	2,000,000,000	'	1,900,000,000
Proceeds from transfer of receivables	1,300,000,000	'	1,300,000,000	'	1,100,000,000
Deferred receivables consideration	695,000,000	'	695,000,000	'	757,000,000
Loss on transfer of accounts receivables to purchasers	2,000,000	1,000,000	4,000,000	3,000,000	'
Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts Receivable Securitization Programs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	1,600,000,000	'	1,600,000,000	'	'
Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility [Member] | Program [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts Receivable Securitization Programs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	1,200,000,000	'	1,200,000,000	'	'
Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility [Member] | Second Program [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Accounts Receivable Securitization Programs [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$400,000,000	'	$400,000,000	'	'

Subsequent_Events_Subsequent_E1

Subsequent Events Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 01, 2014	Oct. 01, 2014	Oct. 13, 2014
					Completed Acquisition [Member]	Completed Acquisition [Member]	Completed Acquisition [Member]	Pending Acquisition [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Transaction value of business acquired	'	'	'	'	'	'	$3,000,000,000	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	'	'	3,000,000	35,000,000	89,000,000	2,800,000,000	'	'
Transaction value of pending acquisition	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	170,000,000
Part Non-Cash Acquisition, Debt Assumed	'	'	'	'	'	'	200,000,000	'
Gain (Loss) on foreign exchange hedges	($102,000,000)	$26,000,000	($102,000,000)	($25,000,000)	'	'	'	'