US food giant Cargill today (18 August) insisted it had seen the second-best year in its history despite seeing a slump in fourth-quarter earnings.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


The group’s net income tumbled by 69% to US$1.05bn during the three months to the end of May, driving down annual profits by 16% to $3.33bn. Annual sales fell 3% to $116.6bn.


Chairman and CEO Greg Page said the last 12 months had been “a tale of two halves”.


He said: “Cargill posted record results through November. In the second half, earnings slowed considerably as the world economy contracted for the first time in six decades.”


However, he added: “In the end, the net effect was the second-best year in our company’s history.”

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Cargill said earnings from food ingredients and applications, as well as agriculture services, rose during the fourth quarter thanks to cost cuts and moves to develop more “value-adding” products. The divisions, however, posted lower profits for the full year.

Just Food Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Food Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving food industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now