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Exhibit 12.1


Statement Regarding Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges

        The following computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges reflects a reclassification made to prior years' consolidated financial statements relating to the sale of our US bakery business in December 2003, which has been presented as discontinued operations for all periods.

 
  As of and for the
Year ended December 31,

 
 
  2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
  1999
 
 
  (US$ in millions except ratios)

 
Earnings:                      
  Pre-tax income before minority interest   723   481   264   66   (21 )
  plus: Fixed charges   258   211   265   271   222  
      Amortization of capitalized interest   7   6   5   4   3  
      Distributed income of equity investees            
      Share of pre-tax losses of equity investees            
  less: Capitalized interest   (8 ) (6 ) (15 ) (5 ) (6 )
      Preferred stock dividends   (6 ) (5 ) (10 )    
      Minority interest in pre-tax income of subsidiaries that have not incurred fixed charges            
   
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings   974   687   509   336   198  

Fixed Charges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Capitalized interest   8   6   15   5   6  
  Expensed interest   215   176   223   252   204  
  plus: Amortized premiums, discounts and capitalized debt expenditures   8   6   1   1   1  
      Estimate of interest within rental expense   21   18   16   13   11  
      Preferred stock dividends   6   5   10      
   
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed Charges   258   211   265   271   222  

Ratio of Earnings/Fixed Charges(1)

 

3.78

 

3.26

 

1.92

 

1.24

 

0.89

(2)
   
 
 
 
 
 

(1)
For the purpose of determining the Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges, earnings are defined as income before taxes plus fixed charges and amortization of capitalized interest less capitalized interest and preferred stock dividend requirements. Fixed charges consist of interest expense (capitalized and expensed), amortization of deferred debt issuance costs, portion of rental expense that is representative of the interest factor and preferred stock dividend requirements of majority-owned subsidiaries.

(2)
Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges by $24 million.



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Statement Regarding Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges