Read Big Ag Watch content related to Cargill Inc.
The Minnesota-based agribusiness Cargill Inc. is the largest privately held company in the United States in terms of revenue.
Cargill provides food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services throughout several different countries. Its several branches include sections on beef, animal feed, turkey, oils, salt, sweetener and sauces.
In addition to those, the company maintains an extensive transportation network.
Overall, Cargill has about 150,000 employees in 70 countries.
The company was founded in 1865.
For more background on Cargill, also see: At a glance
Key financial highlights
2015 net earnings: $1.6 billion
2015 revenue: $120.4 billion
2014 net earnings: $1.9 billion
2014 revenue: $134.9 billion
2013 net earnings: $2.31 billion
2013 revenue: $136.7 billion
Data source: Company financial releases
Big Ag Watch related content
Read: “Controversial trade deal draws heavy lobbying from U.S. agribusiness”
Read: “Trade agreement creates corporate dispute system, GMO working group”
Read: “Opinion: Proposed trade deal a ‘political football’”
Read: “China’s rising meat consumption draws U.S. companies”
Read: “Opinion: Is China taking over the U.S. pork industry?”
Lobbying activity
2015 lobbying expenditures: $960,000
2015 lobbying interests included:
Avian influenza; Biodiesel; Biotechnology; CFTC reauthorization; Grain standards reauthorization; Mandatory Price Reporting
Biofuels Policy & Market Reports; Energy Policy; CHP; Clean Power; Renewable Energy
NAAQS; Climate; Clean Water Act; Waters of the United States
Country of Origin Labeling; Food Safety; Food Additives; Food Labeling; Dietary Recommendations; Nutrition Programs; Cocoa — Consumptive Demand; Food Aid; Food Security
Brazil; Iraq; Cuba; Egypt; Ukraine; Russia; Honduras; Nicaragua; Costa Rica; China; Indonesia; Vietnam; Myanmar; India; New Zealand; Romania
Federal Contractor Regulations; OFCCP; APEC; TPP; Trade agreements; Sanctions; Latin America investment issues; China animal protein
Positive Train Control; STB Reauthorization; Highway Bill; Rail and water
Immigration Reform
Patent Reform
Biodiesel Tax Credit
ACA Excise Tax
2014 lobbying expenditures: $1.26 million
2014 lobbying interests included:
Dodd-Frank legislation and rulemaking; CFTC Redistributon; Biotechnology; Biobased Products; Renewable Fuels Standards; CHP; Energy issues
Sustainability; Climate; TSCA, ESA and CWA; Waters of the US
FSMA Funding & Implementation; Partially Hydrogenized Vegetable Oil Rulemaking; Country of Origin Labeling; Food Safety Issues; Food Additive regulations; Nutrition Labeling; Pathogen Regulation; Antibiotics (Guidance 213, VFD); Food Labeling
Brazil; South America; Cuba; Russia/Ukraine; Iraq; Iran; Egypt; Romania; Bangladesh; India; Africa Growth and Opportunities Act; Food Security
Tax Reform/Extenders; Biodiesel Tax Credit; 954(c)(6)
TPP; US-China BIT; US-China S&ED; APEC; Trade Agreements; Sanctions
Rail transportation safety
Labor Issues
Affordable Care Act
Immigration Reform
Patent reform
2013 lobbying expenditures: $1.4 million
2013 lobbying interests included:
Dodd-Frank Implementation ; Farm Bill policy; Biotech
Renewable Fuels Standards; Biofuels; Environment Issues; Sustainability; Climate; TSCA
FSMA Implementation; SNAP restrictions; Partially Hydrogenized Vegetable Oil Rulemaking; GRAS Policy
Country of Origin Labeling; Food Safety Issues; Child Nutrition Programs; GMO Labeling; Nutrition Labeling; Nutrition Regulations – other (sodium, whole grains, etc); Business updates — Ardent Mills JV; Pathogen Regulation; School Meals Participation; Cocoa
Africa Growth and Opportunities Act; Africa — overall relations; China; Vietnam; Indonesia; Myanmar; APEC; Ukraine; Iraq; Brazil
Tax Reform
TPP; Sanctions; Latin America Investment & Trade; Africa Investment & Trade; Beef & Pork Market Access
Water Resource Development Act
General Labor Issues; OFCCP
Affordable Care Act
Immigration Reform; E-Verify
FR3 — Rural Utilities Services
Data source: Senate lobbying disclosure database
EDGAR Search Results: Cargill
Click on the above link to scroll through recent financial filings posted on SEC.gov. Reports labeled “10-Q” are quarterly filings, while reports labeled “11-K” are annual filings.
Cargill: News releases
Click on the above link to read through recent Cargill news releases.
USA spending quick stats
Each year, the United States government hands out billions of dollars’ worth of government contracts, grants, subsidies and loans. A large portion of these federal dollars go to top agribusiness companies, such Cargill. Click on a year for more detailed information.

Photo by Darrell Hoemann/Big Ag Watch
A Cargill plant in Gibson City, Ill., on Feb. 27, 2015.
2015 total funds awarded: $40 million by 34 transactions
No. 1 awarding agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture
2014 total funds awarded: $89 million by 114 transactions
No. 1 awarding agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture
2013 total funds awarded: $139.2 million by 72 transactions
No. 1 awarding agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Data source: USASpending.gov
Quarterly reports
3rd quarter 2015 | 2nd quarter 2015 | 1st quarter 2015
Annual reports
2015 fiscal year | 2014 fiscal year | 2013 fiscal year