Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017	Jan. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 15,526
Contract with Customer, Liability [Abstract]
Contract with Customer, Liability	194		$ 185	$ 185
Change in Contract with Customer, Liability [Abstract]
Contract with Customer, Liability, Revenue Recognized	124
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable, Net, Current	2,147		2,343	1,947
Inventories	9,820		8,770	9,173
Other Assets, Current	20,906		19,918	19,925
Assets	41,100		39,956	39,963
Other Liabilities, Current	3,035		2,826	2,833
Liabilities, Current	13,285		12,563	12,570
Reinvested earnings	17,755		17,552	17,552
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	18,737		18,322	18,322
Liabilities and Equity	41,100		$ 39,956	39,963
Revenues	15,526	$ 14,988
Cost of Products Sold	14,637	14,116
Gross Profit	889	872
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	464	458
Income taxes	68	118
Net earnings including noncontrolling interests	396	340
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	393	339
Carbohydrate Solutions [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	2,622
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Assets	6,108			6,242
Revenues	2,622	2,510
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	213	211
Starches and sweeteners [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	1,638
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenues	1,638	1,575
Bioproducts [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	984
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenues	984	935
Nutrition [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	950
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Assets	5,644			5,568
Revenues	950	855
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	96	77
Wild Flavors and Specialty Ingredients [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	636
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenues	636	574
Animal Nutrition [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	314
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenues	314	281
Oilseeds [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	5,633
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Assets	13,831			11,835
Revenues	5,633	5,226
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	350	313
Crushing and origination [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	3,610
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenues	3,610	3,293
Refining, packaging, biodiesel, and other [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	2,023
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenues	2,023	1,933
Origination [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	6,215
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Assets	7,990			8,311
Revenues	6,215	6,303
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	45	47
Merchandising and handling [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	6,160
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenues	6,160	6,253
Transportation [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	55
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Revenues	55	50
Other [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	106
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Assets	5,311			$ 5,658
Revenues	106	94
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	13	$ 30
Non MTM Products and Services [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	5,158
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	5,041
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Transferred over Time [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	117
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Carbohydrate Solutions [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	2,622
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Carbohydrate Solutions [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	2,622
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Starches and sweeteners [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	1,638
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Starches and sweeteners [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	1,638
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Bioproducts [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	984
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Bioproducts [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	984
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Nutrition [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	950
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Nutrition [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	950
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Wild Flavors and Specialty Ingredients [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	636
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Wild Flavors and Specialty Ingredients [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	636
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Animal Nutrition [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	314
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Animal Nutrition [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	314
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Oilseeds [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	744
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Oilseeds [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	744
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Crushing and origination [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	186
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Crushing and origination [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	186
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Refining, packaging, biodiesel, and other [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	558
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Refining, packaging, biodiesel, and other [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	558
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Origination [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	736
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Origination [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	619
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Origination [Member] | Transferred over Time [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	117
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Merchandising and handling [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	681
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Merchandising and handling [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	619
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Merchandising and handling [Member] | Transferred over Time [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	62
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Transportation [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	55
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Transportation [Member] | Transferred over Time [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	55
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Other [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	106
Non MTM Products and Services [Member] | Other [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	106
Mark-to-Market Products [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	10,368
Mark-to-Market Products [Member] | Oilseeds [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	4,889
Mark-to-Market Products [Member] | Crushing and origination [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	3,424
Mark-to-Market Products [Member] | Refining, packaging, biodiesel, and other [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	1,465
Mark-to-Market Products [Member] | Origination [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	5,479
Mark-to-Market Products [Member] | Merchandising and handling [Member]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax [Abstract]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	5,479
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable, Net, Current	1,752
Inventories	10,212
Other Assets, Current	20,903
Assets	41,097
Other Liabilities, Current	3,035
Liabilities, Current	13,285
Reinvested earnings	17,752
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	18,734
Liabilities and Equity	41,097
Revenues	15,536
Cost of Products Sold	14,652
Gross Profit	884
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	459
Income taxes	66
Net earnings including noncontrolling interests	393
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	390
Difference Between Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 [Member]
Revenue, Initial Application Period Cumulative Effect Transition [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable, Net, Current	395
Inventories	(392)
Other Assets, Current	3
Assets	3
Other Liabilities, Current	0
Liabilities, Current	0
Reinvested earnings	3
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	3
Liabilities and Equity	3
Revenues	(10)
Cost of Products Sold	(15)
Gross Profit	5
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	5
Income taxes	2
Net earnings including noncontrolling interests	3
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$ 3