v2.4.0.6
Impairment and Restructuring Charges (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Dec. 31, 2009
Impairment      
Pretax non-cash impairment charges $ 3 $ 77 $ 31
Consolidation of operations in Brazil
     
Restructuring      
Accrued liability related to the Brazilian restructuring   11  
Cost of goods sold
     
Impairment      
Pretax non-cash impairment charges   77  
Restructuring      
Pretax restructuring charges, including termination benefits   19  
Selling, general and administrative costs | Consolidation of operations in Brazil
     
Restructuring      
Pretax restructuring charges, including termination benefits   10  
Europe and Brazil | Cost of goods sold
     
Restructuring      
Pretax restructuring charges, including termination benefits     16
Termination benefits paid   11  
Europe and Brazil | Cost of goods sold | European oilseed processing and refining facility
     
Impairment      
Pretax non-cash impairment charges   42  
Europe and Brazil | Cost of goods sold | Additional assets in Brazil
     
Impairment      
Pretax non-cash impairment charges   5  
Europe and Brazil | Cost of goods sold | Permanent closures of oilseed processing and refining facilities in Europe
     
Impairment      
Pretax non-cash impairment charges   9  
Europe and Brazil | Cost of goods sold | Long-term supply contract acquired in connection with a wheat mill acquisition in Brazil
     
Impairment      
Pretax non-cash impairment charges   9  
United States | Cost of goods sold | Closure of an older, less efficient oilseed processing facility in the United States and a co-located corn oil extraction line
     
Impairment      
Pretax non-cash impairment charges   12  
Agribusiness
     
Restructuring      
Number of employees, termination benefit costs   90  
Agribusiness | Cost of goods sold
     
Impairment      
Pretax non-cash impairment charges   35  
Restructuring      
Pretax restructuring charges, including termination benefits   10  
Agribusiness | Cost of goods sold | Permanent closure of a smaller, older and less efficient oilseed processing and refining facility in Brazil
     
Impairment      
Pretax non-cash impairment charges     5
Agribusiness | Selling, general and administrative costs | Write-down of certain real estate assets in South America and an equity investment in a U.S. biodiesel production and marketing company
     
Impairment      
Pretax non-cash impairment charges     26
Agribusiness | Selling, general and administrative costs | Consolidation of operations in Brazil
     
Restructuring      
Termination benefits   3  
Agribusiness | Europe and Brazil | Cost of goods sold
     
Restructuring      
Termination benefits paid     10
Agribusiness | Europe and Brazil | Cost of goods sold | Permanent closures of oilseed processing and refining facilities in Europe
     
Restructuring      
Number of employees, termination benefit costs     48
Agribusiness | Europe and Brazil | Cost of goods sold | Consolidation of administrative activities in Brazil
     
Restructuring      
Number of employees, termination benefit costs     47
Agribusiness | Europe and Brazil | Selling, general and administrative costs | Consolidation and closure activities
     
Restructuring      
Termination benefits   3  
Edible oil products
     
Restructuring      
Number of employees, termination benefit costs   411  
Edible oil products | Cost of goods sold
     
Impairment      
Pretax non-cash impairment charges   28  
Restructuring      
Pretax restructuring charges, including termination benefits   4  
Edible oil products | Selling, general and administrative costs | Consolidation of operations in Brazil
     
Restructuring      
Termination benefits   3  
Edible oil products | Europe and Brazil | Cost of goods sold
     
Restructuring      
Termination benefits paid     3
Edible oil products | Europe and Brazil | Cost of goods sold | Consolidation of administrative activities in Brazil
     
Restructuring      
Number of employees, termination benefit costs     24
Edible oil products | Europe and Brazil | Cost of goods sold | Reorganization of certain operations in Europe
     
Restructuring      
Number of employees, termination benefit costs     405
Edible oil products | Europe and Brazil | Selling, general and administrative costs | Consolidation and closure activities
     
Restructuring      
Termination benefits   3  
Milling products | Cost of goods sold
     
Impairment      
Pretax non-cash impairment charges   14  
Milling products | Selling, general and administrative costs | Consolidation of operations in Brazil
     
Restructuring      
Termination benefits   1  
Milling products | Europe and Brazil | Selling, general and administrative costs | Consolidation and closure activities
     
Restructuring      
Termination benefits   1  
Fertilizer | Cost of goods sold
     
Restructuring      
Pretax restructuring charges, including termination benefits   4  
Fertilizer | Europe and Brazil | Cost of goods sold
     
Restructuring      
Termination benefits paid     3
Fertilizer | Europe and Brazil | Cost of goods sold | Consolidation of administrative activities in Brazil
     
Restructuring      
Number of employees, termination benefit costs     96
Sugar and Bioenergy | Cost of goods sold
     
Restructuring      
Pretax restructuring charges, including termination benefits   1  
Sugar and Bioenergy | Selling, general and administrative costs | Consolidation of operations in Brazil
     
Restructuring      
Termination benefits   3  
Sugar and Bioenergy | Europe and Brazil | Selling, general and administrative costs | Consolidation and closure activities
     
Restructuring      
Termination benefits   $ 3