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GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS PROGRAM
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2018
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]  
GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS PROGRAM
GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS PROGRAM
In July 2017, Bunge announced a comprehensive global competitiveness program to improve its cost position and deliver increased value to shareholders (the “Global Competitiveness Program”). When fully implemented, the Global Competitiveness Program is expected to reduce the Company’s overhead costs by approximately $250 million annually by the end of 2019. The Company identified key elements of its strategy to meet this goal, including adopting a zero-based budgeting process that will target excess costs in specific budget categories and improving efficiency and scalability by simplifying organizational structures, streamlining processes and consolidating back office functions globally. In conjunction with the Global Competitiveness Program, the Company has implemented other cost reduction and strategic initiatives to enhance the efficiency and performance of the Company’s business.

The table below sets forth, by segment, the types of costs recorded for the Global Competitiveness Program during the nine months ended September 30, 2018.
(US$ in millions)
Severance and Other Employee Benefit Costs
 
Other Program Costs
 
Total Program Costs
Agribusiness Segment
$
14

 
$
16

 
$
30

Edible Oils Segment
2

 
4

 
6

Milling Segment

 
2

 
2

Sugar and Bioenergy Segment
2

 
4

 
6

Fertilizer Segment
2

 
1

 
3

Total
$
20

 
$
27

 
$
47


In addition to the above charges, $1 million of severance and other employee benefit costs were recorded related to other industrial productivity initiatives. For the total costs recorded, $9 million were recorded in Cost of goods sold and $39 million were recorded in Selling, general and administrative expenses.

Bunge's liability associated with the Global Competitiveness Program and other associated initiatives is primarily comprised of accruals for severance and other employee benefit costs. The following table sets forth the activity affecting the liability for severance and other employee benefit costs related to the Global Competitiveness Program and other associated initiatives, which is recorded in "Other current liabilities" on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
(US$ in millions)

Severance and Other Employee Benefit Costs
Balance at January 1, 2018
 
$
45

Charges incurred
 
20

Cash payments
 
(53
)
Balance at September 30, 2018
 
$
12



In addition to the cash charges described above, the Company's restructuring initiatives may include the sale or disposal of long-lived assets and rationalization of certain investments. As Bunge continues to review its opportunities, certain gains and charges may be recorded in earnings, including those related to the disposal of assets or investments. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, $29 million of such charges have been recognized.