Cargill, Incorporated

Cargill, Incorporated is an American multinational food corporation and a global leader in the agribusiness industry. Founded in 1865 by William Wallace Cargill, the company's core mission is to nourish the world in a safe, responsible, and sustainable way. Headquartered in Minnetonka, Minnesota, just outside Minneapolis, Cargill plays a critical role in connecting farmers to markets and providing essential products and services worldwide.

Cargill's extensive portfolio spans agricultural services, crop and livestock solutions, and a wide array of food, health, and industrial products. Key offerings include grain and agricultural commodities like palm oil, energy, steel, and livestock feed, as well as food ingredients such as starch, glucose syrup, and vegetable oils. The company is also a significant producer of meat and poultry, animal nutrition products, biofuels, sugar, wheat, corn, soybeans, chocolate, and salt. Beyond products, Cargill provides financial risk management, commodities trading, transportation, logistics, and supply chain services, serving a diverse customer base that includes food manufacturers, foodservice operators, retailers, farmers, and industrial clients globally.

As the largest privately held company in the United States by revenue, Cargill maintains a significant global footprint, operating in 70 countries and serving 125 markets. Brian Sikes serves as the company's Chairman and CEO. The company handles approximately 25% of all U.S. grain exports and supplies about 22% of the U.S. domestic meat market. In recent news, Cargill announced a $150 million investment to upgrade its sunflower seed processing plant in Saint-Nazaire, France, aiming to produce high-protein meal for animal feed and significantly reduce CO2 emissions. However, the company has also faced recent legal challenges, including lawsuits in Brazil concerning alleged labor abuses within its supply chains.