v2.4.0.6

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011 M Y mill division segment	Dec. 31, 2010 mill	Dec. 31, 2009
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
Number of operating divisions	4
Number of operating divisions reportable segments	5
Number of sugar mills in Brazil	8
Number of sugar mills acquired in 2010		5
Maximum percentage ownership for interests reported as noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries	100.00%
Cash and cash equivalents investments maximum maturity period (in months)	3
Research and development expenses	$ 22	$ 24	$ 26
Maximum period of commodity contracts for sale of agricultural commodity	one future crop cycle
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Estimated useful life, finite-lived intangible assets, minimum (in years)	2
Estimated useful life, finite-lived intangible assets, maximum (in years)	50
Buildings
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated useful lives, Minimum (in years)	10
Estimated useful lives, Maximum (in years)	50
Machinery and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated useful lives, Minimum (in years)	7
Estimated useful lives, Maximum (in years)	20
Furniture, fixtures and other
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated useful lives, Minimum (in years)	3
Estimated useful lives, Maximum (in years)	20
Biological assets
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated useful lives, Minimum (in years)	1
Estimated useful lives, Maximum (in years)	6

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The aggregate costs incurred (1) in a planned search or critical investigation aimed at discovery of new knowledge with the hope that such knowledge will be useful in developing a new product or service, a new process or technique, or in bringing about a significant improvement to an existing product or process; or (2) to translate research findings or other knowledge into a plan or design for a new product or process or for a significant improvement to an existing product or process whether intended for sale or the entity's use, during the reporting period charged to research and development projects, including the costs of developing computer software up to the point in time of achieving technological feasibility, and costs allocated in accounting for a business combination to in-process projects deemed to have no alternative future use.

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