Archer Daniels Midland
Agribusiness
Turns crops such as corn, oilseeds, wheat and cocoa into food ingredients, animal feeds, and agriculturally derived fuels and chemicals.

Overall

Owned USA
Rating F
About the Ratings
Archer Daniels Midland Company
USA

Company Assessment

(Last updated Aug 2024)
Archer Daniels Midland Company
Praise
CDP Climate Change score of B
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change score of B.
Source: CDP (2023)
CDP Forests score of B
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts towards removing commodity-driven deforestation and forest degradation from its direct operations and supply chains. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Forests score of B.
Source: CDP (2023)
CDP Water Security score of B
In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security score of B.
Source: CDP (2023)
71/100 in Newsweek rankings
America's Most Responsible Companies 2022 by Newsweek and Statista recognises the Top 500 most responsible companies in the United States. Companies were evaluated in three areas: environmental (waste, energy use, etc.), social (leadership diversity, employees and philanthropy) and governance (transparency and economic performance). This company received a total score of 71/100, ranking 26th in the Consumer Goods sector, and 299th overall.
Criticism
F grade in Plastic Promises Scorecard
As You Sow's 2024 Plastic Promises Scorecard measures the corporate ambition and action of 225 large companies across six industries on six core pillars of plastic packaging pollution prevention: 1) Recyclability, 2) Reduction, 3) Recycled Content, 4) Recovery, 5) Reuse, and 6) Producer Responsibility. This company received a grade of F.
5/27 in pesticides scorecard
Over the last 60 years farming has become dependent on the intensive use of chemicals. As You Sow's 2021 report, Pesticides in the Pantry, examines the growing risks posed by the use of synthetic pesticides in agricultural supply chains to food manufacturers, and scores companies on their efforts to reduce pesticide use in their supply chains. Scores ranged from 16 to 0, with an average score of 7.5. This company received a score of 5/27.
15/100 in KnowTheChain Benchmark
In 2023 KnowTheChain benchmarked 60 food and beverage companies on their efforts to identify and tackle forced labour risks in their supply chains. This company received a score of 15/100. The average score was a disappointing 16/100 and the highest score was 56/100.
38.9% in Forest 500 Rankings
Forest 500 identifies the 350 companies and 150 financial institutions with the greatest exposure to tropical deforestation risk, and annually assesses them on the strength and implementation of their deforestation and human rights commitments. This company received a score of 38.9%.
17.9% in Human Rights Benchmark
The 2022 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark assessed 127 companies in the food and agriculture, ICT and automotive manufacturing sectors on their human rights performance. This company received a score of 17.9%. The overall average score was a disappointing 17.3% and the highest score was 50.3%.
13.9% in Gender Benchmark
The 2023 Gender Benchmark ranks 112 companies from the apparel and food and agriculture sectors on their efforts to drive gender equality and women's empowerment across their entire value chain. Companies are assessed on governance and strategy, representation, compensation and benefits, health and well-being, violence and harassment, and marketplace and community. This company ranked #91/112, with a total score of 13.9%. The average score was 23% and the highest score was 55%.
CEO Pay Ratio of 362:1
In 2022 the median pay for a worker at this company was US$68,383. The CEO was paid 362 times this amount. Exorbitant CEO pay is a major contributor to rising inequality. CEOs are getting more because of their power to set pay, not because they are increasing productivity or possess specific, high-demand skills. The economy would suffer no harm if CEOs were paid less (or taxed more). In contrast, the CEO-to-typical-worker compensation ratio was 20-to-1 in 1965 and 58-to-1 in 1989.
Information
Palm oil supply chain
This agribusiness giant buys palm oil sourced from pristine forests which are clear-cut and burned to accommodate the expansion of palm oil plantations, contributing heavily to global climate change, species extinction, and the displacement of Indigenous and local communities. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Source: RAN (2008)
Palm Oil Deforestation and Child Labor
ADM's major forays into new markets, including cocoa and palm oil, are raising concerns. They center on the impacts of the global food conglomerate's supply chain, and on charges of complicity in forced child labor and massive deforestation. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Child slavery
Anti-Slavery International is calling on cocoa traders Cargill, ADM and Barry Callebaut to increase their efforts to end child slavery in the industry, particularly in the Ivory Coast. These big multinational commodity trading companies buy cocoa sourced from Ivorian cocoa farms where children in slavery are frequently found, and export it to the global brands which make and sell chocolate worldwide. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Excessive CEO pay
As You Sow's 2022 report, 'The 100 Most Overpaid CEOs', reveals the 100 most overpaid CEOs from USA's 500 largest public companies (as determined by the S&P 500 list). This company's CEO, Juan Luciano came in at number 41 on the list, having been paid US$21,994,433 in 2021. According to the report, "Most CEOs have come to be grossly overpaid, and that overpayment is harmful to the companies, the shareholders, the customers, the other employees, the economy, and society as a whole."
Sustainability claims
This company has sustainability claims on its website in the areas of responsible sourcing, compliance and ethics, innovating sustainable materials and progress tracking.
Sustainable Agriculture Initiative member
This company is a member of the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform, the main food industry initiative supporting the development of sustainable agriculture worldwide. Created by Nestle, Unilever and Danone in 2002, the SAI Platform is a non-profit organization to facilitate sharing, at precompetitive level, of knowledge and initiatives to support the development and implementation of sustainable agriculture practices involving the different stakeholders of the food chain.
Modern Slavery statement
California, the UK and Australia have all enacted legislation requiring companies operating within their borders to disclose their efforts to eradicate modern slavery from their operations and supply chains. Follow the link to see this company's disclosure statement.
8/20 in Social Benchmark
The 2024 Social Benchmark assesses the world's 2,000 most influential companies on their responsibility in meeting society's fundamental expectations towards three measurement areas: respecting human rights, providing decent work, and acting ethically. This company was assessed in 2023 and received a score of 8/20. The average score was an alarmingly low 4.6/20 and the highest score was 15.5/20.
OpenSecrets.org profile
OpenSecrets.org tracks the influence of money on U.S. politics, and how that money affects policy and citizens' lives. Follow link to see this company's record of political donations, lobbying, outside spending and more.
59/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 59/100 in the Food Products category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 23 Sep 2022). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
JUST Capital ranking
JUST Capital polls Americans every year to identify the issues that matter most in defining just business behaviour. For their 2024 rankings the public identified 20 issues, which are organised under the headings Workers, Communities, Customers, Shareholders and Environment. JUST Capital then define metrics that map to those issues and track and analyse the largest, publicly traded U.S. companies. This analysis powers their rankings, in which this company ranked 426th of 937 companies, and 16th of 32 Food, Beverage & Tobacco companies.
33.1% in Food and Agriculture Benchmark
The 2023 Food and Agriculture Benchmark assessed 350 keystone companies across the entirety of the food system, from farm to fork. It covers three dimensions where transformation is needed: nutrition, environment and social inclusion. This company ranked #44/350, with a total score of 33.1/100.
27.9% in Nature Benchmark
The Nature Benchmark ranks 816 companies across 20 industries on their efforts to protect our environment and its biodiversity. Companies were assessed in three phases between 2022 and 2024 using three measurement areas: governance and strategy; social inclusion and community impact; and ecosystems and biodiversity. This company was assessed in 2023 and is ranked #106/816, with a total score of 27.9/100.
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Company Details

Type:
Public company
Revenue:
64.3 billion USD (2018)
Employees:
32,300 (2016)
Subsidiaries:
Wilmar International Ltd (20% owned)
Agribusiness, especially palm oil
World's #1 palm oil trader. World's #1 palm biodiesel manufacturer. Asia's largest agri-business group. One of the largest plantation companies in Indonesia/Malaysia. Run by Khoon Hong Kuok. Supplies palm oil to multinational companies such as Unilever, Nestle and Cargill. Bought CSR's sugar and renewable energy business in 2010, and Goodman Fielder in 2015.
Goodman Fielder Ltd
Food and beverage company
Founded in Tamworth NSW in 1909. Goodman Fielder was Australasia's largest listed food manufacturing company, however the company was delisted from the ASX in 2015 when it was acquired for $1.3 billion by the world's largest palm oil trading company, Wilmar International, and Hong Kong investment company First Facific. They manufacture their products in almost 60 plants across Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and New Caledonia. Wilmar became full owners in 2019.
Meadow Fresh NZ Ltd
Dairy company
Meadow Fresh NZ became part of Goodman Fielder in 2005.
Wilmar Sugar Australia Ltd
Sugar
Australia's #1 sugar processor and refiner (#8 globally). Owns and operates eight sugar mills in Queensland, processing more than half of Australia's raw sugar. Australia's largest producer of sugar-based ethanol and renewable energy from biomass. Sold by CSR to Wilmar in July 2010. Previously known as Sucrogen.
Sugar Australia Pty Ltd (75% owned)
Sugar manufacturer
The Australian sugar industry produces 5.2 million tonnes of raw sugar annually and 85 per cent of this is exported. 75 per cent owned by Wilmar, the world's biggest palm oil trader. Distributes and markets stevia sweetener products under an agreement with GLG Life Tech.

Contact Details

Address:
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Website:
www.adm.com

Products / Brands

Goodman Fielder (20% owned)
Atlantic Bakery Bread
Buttercup Bread
Cornwells Vinegar
Cornwells Pickles, Chutney & Relish
Country Life Bread
Country Split Bread
Crisco Cooking Oil
Defiance Flour & Bread Mix
Donna Hay Cake Mix
ETA Cooking Oil
ETA Butter & Margarine
ETA Salad Dressing/Mayonnaise
ETA Tomato/BBQ Sauce
Gold'nCanola Cooking Oil
Gold'nCanola Butter & Margarine
Helgas Flat Bread
Helgas Bread
Holbrooks Pickles, Chutney & Relish
Kream Flour & Bread Mix
La Famiglia Bread
Lawson's Bread
Logicol Butter & Margarine
Meadow Lea Butter & Margarine
Mighty Soft Bread
Oli & Vine Salad Dressing/Mayonnaise
Olive Grove Butter & Margarine
Olive Grove Olive Oil
★ Australian Extra Virgin certified
One Night in Mexico Mexican
Pampas Frozen Desserts/Fruit
Pampas Frozen Pastry
Paul Newman's Own Pasta Sauce
Paul Newman's Own Salad Dressing/Mayonnaise
Pavlova Magic Pudding & Custard
Pavlova Magic Cake Mix
Plantry Vegetarian & Vegan
Plantry Frozen Meals/Pizza
Praise Salad Dressing/Mayonnaise
Supafry Butter & Margarine
Taylors Bread
White Wings Gravy
White Wings Flour & Bread Mix
★ some products certified organic
White Wings Pudding & Custard
White Wings Cake Mix
Wonder Flat Bread
Wonder Bread
Sugar Australia (15% owned)
CSR Topping & Syrup
CSR (sucrose) Sugar & Sweeteners
CSR Golden Syrup Honey