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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2022
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Bunge is party to claims and lawsuits, primarily non-income tax and labor claims in South America, arising in the normal course of business. Bunge is also involved from time to time in various contract, antitrust, environmental litigation and remediation, and other litigation, claims, government investigations, and legal proceedings. The ability to predict the ultimate outcome of such matters involves judgments, estimates and inherent uncertainties. Bunge records liabilities related to legal matters when the exposure item becomes probable and can be reasonably estimated. Bunge management does not expect these matters to have a material adverse effect on Bunge’s financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity. However, these matters are subject to inherent uncertainties and there exists the remote possibility that a liability arising from these matters could have a material adverse impact in the period in which the uncertainties are resolved should the liability substantially exceed the amount of provisions included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. Information regarding the claims appears in Bunge’s Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. Included in Other non-current liabilities as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 are the following amounts related to these matters:
(US$ in millions)June 30,
2022
December 31,
2021
Non-income tax claims$17 $15 
Labor claims69 72 
Civil and other claims92 95 
Total$178 $182 
Non-income tax claims
Brazil Indirect Taxes - These tax claims relate to ongoing claims against Bunge’s Brazilian subsidiaries, primarily value-added tax claims (ICMS, ISS, IPI and PIS/COFINS).
As of June 30, 2022, the Brazilian federal and state authorities have concluded examinations of the ICMS and PIS/COFINS tax returns and have issued outstanding claims. The Company continues to evaluate the merits of each of these claims and will recognize them when loss is considered probable. The outstanding claims comprise the following:
(US$ in millions)Years ExaminedJune 30, 2022December 31, 2021
ICMS1990 to Present$235 $222 
PIS/COFINS2002 to Present$347 $228 
Labor claims
The labor claims are principally against Bunge’s Brazilian subsidiaries. The labor claims primarily relate to dismissals, severance, health and safety, salary adjustments, and supplementary retirement benefits.
Civil and other claims
The civil and other claims relate to various disputes with third parties, including suppliers and customers.
Guarantees
Bunge has issued or was a party to the following guarantees at June 30, 2022:
(US$ in millions)Maximum
Potential
Future
Payments
Unconsolidated affiliates guarantee (1)
$240 
Residual value guarantee (2)
298 
Other guarantees5 
Total$543 
(1)    Bunge has issued guarantees to certain financial institutions related to debt of certain of its unconsolidated affiliates. The terms of the guarantees are equal to the terms of the related financings, which have maturity dates through 2034. There are no recourse provisions or collateral that would enable Bunge to recover any amounts paid under these guarantees. In addition, certain Bunge subsidiaries have guaranteed the obligations of certain of their unconsolidated affiliates and in connection therewith have secured their guarantee obligations through a pledge to the financial institutions of certain of their unconsolidated affiliates' shares plus loans receivable from the unconsolidated affiliates in the event that the guaranteed obligations are enforced. Based on amounts drawn under such debt facilities at June 30, 2022, Bunge's potential liability was $230 million, and it has recorded a $5 million obligation related to these guarantees within Other non-current liabilities.
(2)    Bunge has issued guarantees to certain financial institutions that are party to certain operating lease arrangements for railcars, barges, and buildings. These guarantees provide for a minimum residual value to be received by the lessor at the conclusion of the lease term. These leases expire at various dates from 2022 through 2029. At June 30, 2022, no obligation has been recorded related to these guarantees. Any obligation recorded would be recognized in Current operating lease obligations or Non-current operating lease obligations.
Bunge Limited has provided a guarantee to the Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture as Trustee for Bunge North America, Inc. ("BNA"), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, which guarantees all amounts due and owing by BNA to grain producers and/or depositors in the State of Illinois who have delivered commodities to BNA’s Illinois facilities.