adm-20231231

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-K

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023

For the transition period from _________________ to _________________

Commission file number 1-44

ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

77 West Wacker Drive, Suite 4600

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(312) 634-8100

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, no par value ADM NYSE

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes☒

No ̈

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes ̈No☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes☒ No ̈

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes☒ No ̈

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer☒Accelerated Filer ☐

Non-accelerated filer ☐Smaller reporting company ☐

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☒

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☒

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1 (b). ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter.

Common Stock, no par value—$40.3 billion

(Based on the closing sale price of Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange

as of June 30, 2023)

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Common Stock, no par value—509,849,153 shares

(March 8, 2024)

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement relating to its 2024 annual meeting of stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K where indicated. Such proxy statement will be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year to which this report relates.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, are forward-looking statements. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “may,” “outlook,” “will,” “should,” “can have,” “likely,” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events. For example, all statements the Company makes relating to its future results and operations, growth opportunities, pending litigation and investigations, and timing of the remediation of the Company’s material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including, without limitation, those that are described inItem 1A, "Risk Factors" included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as may be updated in subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Except to the extent required by law, Archer-Daniels- Midland Company does not undertake, and expressly disclaims, any duty or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.

Table of Contents

Item No. Description Page No.

Part I

1. Business 5

1A. Risk Factors 17

1B. Unresolved Staff Comments 27

1C. Cybersecurity 27

2. Properties 28

3. Legal Proceedings 30

4. Mine Safety Disclosures 30

Part II

6. [Reserved] 32

7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 56

8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 58

9A. Controls and Procedures 124

9B. Other Information 125

9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections 125

Part III

10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance 126

11. Executive Compensation 128

14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services 128

Part IV

15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules 129

PART I

Item 1. BUSINESS

Company Overview

Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (the Company or ADM) unlocks the power of nature to enrich the quality of life. The Company is an essential global agricultural supply chain manager and processor; a premier human and animal nutrition provider; a trailblazer in groundbreaking solutions to support healthier living; an industry-leading innovator in replacing petroleum-based products; and a leader in sustainability. ADM’s breadth, depth, insights, facilities and logistical expertise give the Company unparalleled capabilities to meet demand driven by global trends related to food security, health and well-being, and sustainability of the agriculture and food value chains. From the seed of the idea to the outcome of the solution, ADM gives customers an advantage in solving the nutritional and sustainability challenges of today and tomorrow.

The Company is one of the world’s leading producers of ingredients for sustainable nutrition. From staple foods, such as flour, oils, and sweeteners, to innovative alternatives like plant-based meat and dairy, ADM offers the industry’s broadest portfolio of food and beverage solutions. The Company is also a leader in animal nutrition. Today, more and more people want to feed their pets with the same kind of clean, simple, and healthy products that they eat themselves, and consumers expect livestock and poultry to be fed and raised naturally, humanely, and sustainably. ADM offers a range of ingredients, flavors, and solutions from nature to meet animal’s needs.

ADM is a global leader in health and well-being, with an industry-leading range of probiotics, enzymes, supplements, and more to meet the needs of consumers looking for new ways to live healthier lives. The Company is also leading the way to a future of new consumer and industrial solutions from nature. With unparalleled expertise and capacity in precision fermentation, ADM is reimagining the world of plastics, lubricants, adhesives, home products, and more.

ADM also has significant investments and joint ventures that aim to expand or enhance the market for its products or offer other benefits including, but not limited to, geographic or product-line expansion.

At ADM, sustainable practices and a focus on environmental responsibility are foundational to the Company’s purpose and culture, and integral to the work the Company does every day to serve customers and create value for shareholders. ADM’s Board of Directors actively oversees the Company’s sustainability strategy through a board-level Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility Committee (Sustainability Committee), and ADM’s Chief Sustainability Officer is part of the core strategy team and reports to the Senior Vice President and President of Ag Services and Oilseeds.

Utilizing ADM’s unique position in the agricultural value chain, including relationships with farmers around the globe and an unparalleled origination, transportation, and processing network, the Company is enhancing sustainability and leading in decarbonization across the multiple value chains in which it operates. ADM works with growers by supporting them with personalized services and innovative technologies and partnering with them to develop and enhance sustainable practices, including a goal of enrolling four million regenerative agriculture acres by 2025. The Company is actively working to improve the efficiency of its facilities and vehicles, finding alternative uses for waste, reusing and recycling water, and sequestering carbon at its onsite capture and storage facility. These efforts are helping advance ADM’s “Strive 35” commitments to, by 2035, reduce from a 2019 baseline absolute Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 25%; reduce from a 2021 baseline absolute Scope 3 emissions by 25%; reduce energy intensity by 15% and increase low-carbon energy usage to 25% of total; reduce water intensity and water withdrawal by 10%; and achieve a 90% landfill diversion rate.

All of this work is propelling ADM’s broadening array of products from nature, which are helping customers meet increasing demand for more sustainable solutions spanning food, feed, fuel, and industrial and consumer products.

The Company is strongly committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. ADM fundamentally values the differences between individuals and believes a variety of perspectives makes for a better company.

The Company’s innovation and expertise are helping people live healthier lives and support a healthier planet. The Company’s globally-integrated footprint combines with local insights to give ADM capabilities few other companies have to meet critical and global needs.

Item 1. BUSINESS (Continued)

Segment Descriptions

The Company’s operations are organized, managed, and classified into three reportable business segments: Ag Services and Oilseeds, Carbohydrate Solutions, and Nutrition. Each of these segments is organized based upon the nature of products and services offered. The Company’s remaining operations are not reportable business segments, as defined by the applicable accounting standard, and are classified as Other Business. Financial information with respect to the Company’s reportable business segments is set forth in Note 17 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 8 herein, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” (Item 8).

Ag Services and Oilseeds

The Ag Services and Oilseeds segment includes global activities related to the origination, merchandising, transportation, and storage of agricultural raw materials, and the crushing and further processing of oilseeds such as soybeans and soft seeds (cottonseed, sunflower seed, canola, rapeseed, and flaxseed) into vegetable oils and protein meals. Oilseeds products produced and marketed by the segment include ingredients for food, feed, energy, and industrial customers. Crude vegetable oils produced by the segment’s crushing activities are sold “as is” to manufacturers of renewable green diesel and other customers or are further processed by refining, blending, bleaching, and deodorizing into salad oils. Salad oils are sold “as is” or are further processed by hydrogenating and/or interesterifying into margarine, shortening, and other food products. Partially refined oils are used to produce biodiesel and glycols or are sold to other manufacturers for use in chemicals, paints, and other industrial products. Oilseed protein meals are principally sold to third parties to be used as ingredients in commercial livestock and poultry feeds. The Ag Services and Oilseeds segment is also a major supplier of peanuts and peanut-derived ingredients to both the U.S. and export markets. In North America, cotton cellulose pulp is manufactured and sold to the chemical, paper, and other industrial markets. The Ag Services and Oilseeds segment’s grain sourcing, handling, and transportation network (including barge, ocean-going vessel, truck, rail, and container freight services) provides reliable and efficient services to the Company’s customers and agricultural processing operations. The Ag Services and Oilseeds segment also includes agricultural commodity and feed product import, export, and global distribution, and structured trade finance activities. The Company engages in various structured trade finance activities to leverage its global trade flows.

The Company has a 22.5% equity interest in Wilmar International Limited (Wilmar), a Singapore publicly listed company. Wilmar is a leading global agribusiness group headquartered in Asia engaged in the businesses of packaged oils and packaged foods, oil palm cultivation, oilseeds crushing, edible oils refining, sugar milling and refining, specialty fats, oleo chemicals, biodiesel and fertilizers manufacturing, and grains processing.

The Company has a 32.2% equity interest in Pacificor. Pacificor owns and operates grain export elevators in Kalama, Washington and Portland, Oregon.

The Company has a 50.0% equity interest in SoyVen, a joint venture between ADM and Cargill to provide soybean meal and oil for customers in Egypt.

The Company has a 37.5% equity interest in Olenex Sarl (Olenex), a joint venture between ADM and Wilmar that produces and sells a comprehensive portfolio of edible oils and fats to customers around the globe. In addition, Olenex markets refined oils and fats from the Company’s plants in the Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, and the U.K.

The Company has a 50.0% equity interest in Stratas Foods LLC, a joint venture between ADM and ACH Jupiter, LLC, a subsidiary of Associated British Foods, that procures, packages, and sells edible oils in North America.

The Company has a 50.0% equity interest in Edible Oils Limited, a joint venture between ADM and Princes Limited to procure, package, and sell edible oils in the United Kingdom. The Company also formed a joint venture with Princes Limited in Poland to procure, package, and sell edible oils in Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria.

The Company is a supplier of raw materials to Wilmar, Stratas Foods LLC, Edible Oils Limited, SoyVen, and Olenex.

Item 1. BUSINESS (Continued)

Carbohydrate Solutions

The Carbohydrate Solutions segment is engaged in corn and wheat wet and dry milling and other activities. The Carbohydrate Solutions segment converts corn and wheat into products and ingredients used in the food and beverage industry including sweeteners, corn and wheat starches, syrup, glucose, wheat flour, and dextrose. Dextrose and starch are used by the Carbohydrate Solutions segment as feedstocks in other downstream processes. By fermentation of dextrose, the Carbohydrate Solutions segment produces alcohol and other food and animal feed ingredients. Ethyl alcohol is produced by the Company for industrial use in products such as hand sanitizers and ethanol for use in gasoline due to its ability to increase octane as an extender and oxygenate. Corn gluten feed and meal, as well as distillers’ grains, are produced for use as animal feed ingredients. Corn germ, a by-product of the wet milling process, is further processed into vegetable oil and protein meal. Other Carbohydrate Solutions products include citric acids, which are used in various food and industrial products. The Carbohydrate Solutions segment is a leader in carbon capture and sequestration. By continuing to advance additional carbon capture and sequestration initiatives and products aimed at replacing coal power and steam generation with lower emissions power, the Carbohydrate Solutions segment is well positioned to benefit from the replacement of essential materials historically made from fossil fuels with plant-based alternatives.

The Company has a 50.0% equity interest in Hungrana Ltd. which operates a corn wet milling plant in Hungary.

The Company has a 50.0% equity interest in Almidones Mexicanos S.A. which operates a corn wet milling plant in Mexico.

The Company has a 50.0% equity interest in Aston Foods and Food Ingredients, a Russian-based sweeteners and starches business.

The Company has a 40.0% equity interest in Red Star Yeast Company, LLC, which produces and sells fresh and dry yeast in the U.S. and Canada.

The Company has a 22.1% equity interest in LSCP, LLLP, which operates an ethanol plant facility in the U.S.

Nutrition

The Nutrition segment serves various end markets including food, beverages, nutritional supplements, and feed premix and additives for livestock, aquaculture, and pet food. The segment engages in the manufacturing, sale, and distribution of a wide array of ingredients and solutions including plant-based proteins, natural flavors, flavor systems, natural colors, emulsifiers, soluble fiber, polyols, hydrocolloids, probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, enzymes, botanical extracts, and other specialty food and feed ingredients. The Nutrition segment includes the activities related to the procurement, processing, and distribution of edible beans. The segment also includes activities related to the processing and distribution of formula feeds and animal health and nutrition products and the manufacture of contract and private label pet treats and foods.

The Company has a 45.3% equity interest in Vimison S.A. de C.V., a leader in the animal nutrition industry in Mexico.

The Company has 50% equity interests in ADM Matsutani LLC and Matsutani Singapore Pte. Ltd., joint ventures for the worldwide sales and marketing of Fibersol.

The Company has a 50% equity interest in ADM Vland Biotech Shandong Co., Ltd., which manufactures and commercializes human probiotics in Greater China. As of December 31, 2023, this joint venture has temporarily ceased operations.

The Company has a 42.8% equity interest in Dusial S.A., a leader in the complete feed industry in Southwest of France.

The Company has a 34.3% equity interest in Vitafort ZRT, a leading company in the Hungarian animal feed market.

Other Business

Other Business includes the Company’s remaining operations as described below.

Item 1. BUSINESS (Continued)

ADM Investor Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is a registered futures commission merchant and a clearing member of all principal commodities exchanges in the U.S. ADM Investor Services International Limited, a member of several derivative and commodity exchanges and clearing houses in Europe, ADMIS Singapore Pte. Limited, a clearing member of the Singapore exchange, and ADMIS Hong Kong Limited, are wholly owned subsidiaries of ADM offering brokerage services in Europe and Asia.

Insurance activities include Agrinational Insurance Company (Agrinational) and its subsidiaries. Agrinational, a wholly owned subsidiary of ADM, provides insurance coverage for certain property, casualty, marine, medical, and other miscellaneous risks of the Company. Agrinational also participates in certain third-party reinsurance arrangements.

Corporate

Corporate includes the activities related to cost and equity method investments in early-stage start-up companies within ADM Ventures. In addition to identifying companies to invest in, ADM Ventures also works on select high-potential, new product development projects and alternative business models, all with the objective of supporting the Company’s strategic objectives.

Internal Investigation

Background

As previously disclosed, the Company received a voluntary document request from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) relating to intersegment sales between the Company’s Nutrition reporting segment and the Company’s Ag Services and Oilseeds and Carbohydrate Solutions reporting segments. In response, the Company initiated an internal investigation regarding certain accounting practices and procedures with respect to its Nutrition reporting segment, including as related to certain intersegment sales (the Investigation).As previously disclosed on January 21, 2024, the Company placed Vikram Luthar, Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President, on administrative leave.

Correction of Certain Segment-Specific Historical Financial Information

The Company has historically disclosed in the footnotes to its financial statements that intersegment sales have been recorded at amounts approximating market. In connection with the Investigation, the Company identified certain intersegment sales that occurred between the Company’s Nutrition reporting segment and the Company’s Ag Services and Oilseeds and Carbohydrate Solutions reporting segments that were not recorded at amounts approximating market.

Because each sale to be adjusted occurred between the Company’s reporting segments, the adjustments have no impact on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets and statements of earnings, comprehensive income (loss), or cash flows. The Company determined that the adjustments are not material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements taken as a whole for any period.

For more information, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Position and Results and Operations” included in Part II, Item 7 herein, and Note 17, Segment and Geographic Information of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Part II, Item 8 herein.

Government Investigations

The Company continues to cooperate with the SEC. Following the Company’s January 21, 2024 announcement of the Investigation, the Company received voluntary document requests from the Department of Justice (the DOJ) focused primarily on the same subject matter, and the DOJ directed grand jury subpoenas to certain current and former Company employees.The Company is cooperating with the DOJ.

Item 1. BUSINESS (Continued)

Methods of Distribution

The Company’s products are distributed mainly in bulk from processing plants or storage facilities directly to customers’ facilities. The Company has developed a comprehensive transportation capability to efficiently move both commodities and processed products virtually anywhere in the world. The Company owns or leases trucks, trailers, railroad tank and hopper cars, river barges, towboats, and ocean-going vessels used to transport the Company’s products to its customers.

Concentration of Revenues by Product

The following products accounted for 10% or more of revenues for the following periods:

% of Revenues

Year Ended December 31

Status of New Products

The Company continues to expand the size and global reach of its business through the development of new products. Acquisitions expand the Company’s ability to unlock the potential of nature and serve customers’ evolving and expanding needs through its offerings of natural flavor and ingredient products. The Company does not expect any individual new product to have a significant impact on the Company’s revenues in 2024.

Source and Availability of Raw Materials

A significant majority of the Company’s raw materials are agricultural commodities. In addition, the Company sources specific fruits, vegetables, and nuts for extracts to make flavors and colors. In any single year, the availability and price of these commodities are subject to factors such as changes in weather conditions, plantings, government programs and policies, competition, changes in global demand, changes in standards of living, and global production of similar and competitive crops. The Company’s raw materials are procured from thousands of growers, grain elevators, and wholesale merchants in North America, South America, Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), Asia, and Australia, pursuant primarily to short-term (less than one year) agreements or on a spot basis. The Company is not dependent upon any particular grower, elevator, or merchant as a source for its raw materials.

Some of the principal crops that ADM sources and processes present specific climate change risks. For example, South American soy and global palm present risks of deforestation due to their proximity to the forest and other high-carbon-value landscapes. In addition, when not managed appropriately, row crops such as corn, soy, wheat, and canola present environmental risks such as water quality impairment, erosion, soil degradation, and GHG emissions. However, these crops also present an opportunity to combat climate change through their ability to sequester carbon in the soil using regenerative agricultural practices. In 2022, ADM launched its “re: generations” program to engage and encourage growers in its supply chain to implement regenerative agriculture practices. In the first year of the program, the Company exceeded its goal to enroll one million acres. In 2023, the Company expanded its regenerative agriculture program to cover two million acres across 18 U.S. states and Canada and also extended the program into new geographies, launching regenerative agriculture projects in Europe and South America, with a goal to enroll four million acres globally by 2025.

Item 1. BUSINESS (Continued)

Under the stewardship of ADM’s Board of Directors, the Company has established several key social and environmental policies that collectively outline expectations for its employees, business partners and contractors, and the Company as a whole with respect to its sourcing operations. These policies set the standards that govern the Company’s approach to environmental stewardship, employee conduct, and raw material sourcing, among other areas, and outline ADM’s positions on issues of widespread public interest. These standards are included in, among others, the Company’s Code of Conduct; Environment, Health, and Safety Policy; Human Rights Policy; Commitment to Protect Forests, Biodiversity, and Communities; Statement on Genetically Modified Organisms; Statement on Animal Testing; Commitment to Anti-Corruption Compliance; Protocol for Managing Supplier Non-Compliance and ADM Supplier Expectations, all of which are available on the Company’s website (see Item 1, Business - Available Information).

In addition to policies, a portion of the Company’s commodity sourcing is conducted using third-party certification programs including ADM Responsible Soy, Biomass Biofuel Sustainability Voluntary Scheme, Round Table for Responsible Soy, International Sustainability and Carbon Certification, Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil, and U.S. Soy Sustainability Assurance Protocol. These programs have standards that are established to provide transparency on specific sustainability-related criteria. ADM procures canola, soybeans, and palm under these programs.

Trademarks, Brands, Recipes, and other Intellectual Property

The Company owns trademarks, brands, recipes, and other intellectual property including patents, with a net book value of $734 million as of December 31, 2023. More than 90% of these intangibles are in the Nutrition segment which is not materially dependent upon any individual trademark, brand, recipe or other intellectual property.

Seasonality, Working Capital Needs, and Significant Customers

Since the Company is widely diversified in global agribusiness markets, there are no material seasonal fluctuations in overall global processing volumes and the sale and distribution of its products and services. There is a degree of seasonality in the growing cycles, procurement, and transportation of the Company’s principal raw materials: oilseeds, corn, wheat, and other grains. The Company has seasonal financing arrangements with farmers in certain countries around the world. Typically, advances on these financing arrangements occur during the planting season and are repaid at harvest.

The prices of agricultural commodities, which may fluctuate significantly and change quickly, directly affect the Company’s working capital requirements. Because the Company has a higher portion of its operations in the northern hemisphere, principally North America and Europe, relative to the southern hemisphere, primarily South America, inventory levels typically peak after the northern hemisphere fall harvest and are generally lower during the northern hemisphere summer months. Working capital requirements have historically trended with inventory levels.

No material part of the Company’s business is dependent upon a single customer or very few customers.

Competition

The Company has significant competition in the markets in which it operates based principally on price, foreign exchange rates, quality, global supply, and alternative products, some of which are made from different raw materials than those utilized by the Company. Given the commodity-based nature of many of its businesses, the Company, on an ongoing basis, focuses on managing unit costs and improving efficiency through technology improvements, productivity enhancements, and regular evaluation of the Company’s asset portfolio. The Company’s Nutrition business is a vertically integrated business that provides ingredients and solutions for human, animal, and pet in a highly competitive environment with a variety of companies offering the same products and services. The industry includes ingredient suppliers, contract manufacturers, global fast moving consumer goods companies, and private label brands, as well as smaller companies that specialize in specific niche markets. The Company focuses on staying ahead of the curve in terms of innovation and science-based solutions, building direct-to-consumer sales channels and focusing on consumer needs, expanding into new markets, building strategic partnerships, leveraging data and technology, and building a strong distribution network.

Item 1. BUSINESS (Continued)

Research and Development (R&D)

R&D expense, net of reimbursements of government grants, for the year ended December 31, 2023 was $256 million.

The Company is committed to global health and sustainable products, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. ADM’s R&D efforts focus on creating science-based products, solutions, and technologies aligned with macro trends in food security, sustainable processes, health, and personalized nutrition. The Company strategically invests in R&D across the entire nutrition value chain by leveraging its access to innovative processes and product optimization. The R&D team is also engaged in BioSolutions initiatives which is a key part of ADM’s commitment to utilize its value chain to reduce its carbon footprint, redesign core products with sustainable alternatives, and explore new markets.

The Company’sinternal R&D network, consisting of approximately 1,600 talented employees, is dedicated to transforming aspirations into solutions and brand innovation. The integration of interdisciplinary experts in biology, chemistry, physiology, nutrition, agronomy, and product development provides a competitive edge.

R&D teams are closely connected to customers and the global markets. Targeted product development leverages innovative ingredients and ADM’s existing portfolio across different segments. R&D innovation centers across four continents enable the rapid transformation of ideas into products. An external network of collaborators, including customers, key opinion leaders, start-ups, and academia amplifies the Company’s scientific excellence.

The scope and application of the Company’s technical capabilities reinforce its commitment to global health and sustainable products. High-throughput screening and characterization facilities strengthen ADM’s extensive ingredient database. Formulation platforms enable rapid upscaling or downscaling for cost-effective innovation. Resources dedicated to functional ingredient characterization enhance the Company’s capacity to deliver on the science behind each product.

ADM’s R&D strategy prioritizes fulfilling customer expectations and supporting the Company’s growth. In 2023, ADM introduced over 40 new products aligned with short and medium-term customer needs. The Company’s future strategy aims to deliver world-class solutions more efficiently and sustainably, and to capitalize on ADM’s full potential.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)

The Company knows that the health of our natural resources is critical to our future, and that its commitments to sustainable practices will result in a stronger ADM and a better world. ADM is committed to being a force for change in developing innovative, sustainable solutions in agriculture, food and nutrition, industrial and consumer products, energy, and packaging materials while pursuing ways to continually improve the Company’s efforts in both protecting the environment and enhancing environmental sustainability. The United Nations Development Programme created the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) blueprint as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. ADM focuses its efforts toward goals that align with its business objectives and allow the Company to make the greatest contribution towards the achievement of the SDGs, specifically Zero Hunger, Clean Water and Sanitation, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Climate Action, and Life On Land.

Item 1. BUSINESS (Continued)

Governance

The Sustainability Committee of the Board actively oversees the Company’s objectives, goals, strategies, and activities relating to sustainability and corporate responsibility matters. The Sustainability Committee also oversees the Company’s compliance with sustainability and corporate responsibility laws and regulations, assesses performance relating to industry benchmarks, and assists the Board of Directors in overseeing the Company’s operations as a sustainable organization and responsible corporate citizen in order to enhance shareholder value and protect ADM’s reputation. Both the Company’s Chief Sustainability Officer and Senior Vice President of Global Operations attend committee meetings as management representatives. The Senior Vice President, Chief People and Diversity Officer meets periodically with the Sustainability Committee to discuss ADM’s diversity progress and strategy. The Executive Council of ADM, the Company’s highest strategic and operational body, provides close supervision of the Company’s ESG efforts and in-depth review of sustainability issues. Furthermore, regional sustainability teams, along with the corporate sustainability team, support the Chief Sustainability Officer to drive sustainability efforts in the Company’s facilities and supply chains around the world. ADM’s sustainability efforts are also supported by functional expertise throughout the Company such as in Operations and Utilities, Supply Chain and Procurement, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS).

Strategy

The Company aims to mitigate climate change and protect biodiversity through renewable product and process innovations, supply chain efforts including a commitment to no-deforestation or native vegetation conversion and regenerative agriculture, and a strategic approach to operational excellence with a focus on enhancing the efficiency of ADM’s production plants throughout its global operations.

ADM believes sustainability is critical to its future growth strategy. ADM’s strategic plan of sustainable growth leverages the trends and technologies in sustainability to help the Company grow and create value for its stakeholders. Ag Services and Oilseeds is focused on traceability of sourcing and differentiation and working with growers on low carbon agricultural practices and products. Carbohydrate Solutions is focused on decarbonization efforts that increasingly position the segment to offer low-carbon intensity feedstocks for biosolutions and biomaterials, including fuel solutions, to replace petroleum-based products. Nutrition is working with suppliers and customers to identify nature positive solutions that can reduce environmental impact in supply chains. The growth of these projects and businesses will be integral to supporting the objective of helping the planet limit total global warming to the 1.5°C threshold indicated by the United Nations. Additionally, beginning in 2022, the Company incorporated the achievement of gender parity and GHG emission goals to executive performance measurement to reflect the strategic importance of ESG to its business.

Moreover, ADM has a large industrial footprint and believes it is important to reduce GHG emissions related to its business activities and the entire agricultural supply chain. The Company continues to use internal and external resources to identify opportunities and take action to reduce its GHG emissions globally to meet its continued commitment to mitigate the effects of climate change.

In 2020, ADM announced its environmental stewardship goals, collectively called “Strive 35” – an ambitious plan to, by 2035, reduce absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 25% from a 2019 baseline, reduce energy intensity by 15%, reduce water intensity by 10%, and achieve a 90% landfill diversion rate. To support the Company’s Strive 35 environmental goals, ADM developed a feasibility study with a leading engineering professional services firm that provides the technology pathway for absolute reduction of GHG by 2035. The Company has also committed to develop a global strategy focused on improving community well-being in priority watersheds, including water-stressed areas, by 2025. In 2023, ADM refined two of its Strive 35 commitments to more meaningfully drive progress: ADM aims to reduce its absolute water withdrawal by 10%, from a 2019 baseline, by 2035, and ADM aims to increase its use of low-carbon energy sources to 25% of total energy used by 2035.

In 2021, ADM announced its Scope 3 GHG reduction goal, focused upon the five most material Scope 3 categories for the Company: purchased goods and services; fuel and energy related emissions; upstream transportation and distribution; waste; and processing of solid products/goods. ADM aims to reduce its absolute Scope 3 emissions by 25% from a 2021 baseline by 2035.

ADM has applied for approval of its Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG reduction goals from the Science-based Targets Initiative (SBTi). This approval is pending SBTi’s review and engagement with ADM.

Item 1. BUSINESS (Continued)

As of December 31, 2022, the Company reduced absolute Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions by 7.8% and realized no reductions in Scope 3 emissions. The Company reduced absolute water withdrawal by 1.0% and realized no reductions in water intensity. The Company realized no increase in low carbon energy usage and achieved 82.4% of its waste diverted from landfill.

In 2023, the Company published an updated Carbon Reduction Program Assessment, a report of ADM’s carbon reduction progress and exploration to support its aspiration of net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest. The report can be accessed through the Company’s website at http://www.adm.com.

The Company anticipates spending between $360 million and $490 million on capital projects to achieve the Strive 35 targets. ADM has spent $158 million on projects in support of these goals since inception, of which $71 million was spent in 2023, including three projects in Ag Services and Oilseeds designed to fully transition away from coal usage.

The Company believes that protection of natural resources, habitats, and biodiversity are important to life and to the Company’s business. ADM is committed to eliminating deforestation from all of the Company’s supply chains by 2025. In 2023, after a strategic investigation of the impact of conversion of native habitats in its key supply chains, the Company announced its commitment to eliminate conversion of native habitats in high risk areas in South America for direct suppliers of all commodities by 2025 and indirect suppliers by 2027, with a 2025 cutoff date (a date after which conversion of primary native vegetation renders a given area or production unit non-compliant) for both direct and indirect suppliers. In 2022, the Company achieved full traceability of its direct and indirect sourcing throughout its soy supply chains in Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina.

During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company spent $69 million specifically to improve equipment, facilities, and programs for pollution control and in light of requirements of various environmental agencies.

There have been no material effects upon the earnings and competitive position of the Company resulting from compliance with applicable laws or regulations enacted or adopted relating to the protection of the environment.

ADM’s corporate social investment program, ADM Cares, aligns the Company’s corporate giving with its business strategies and sustainability objectives. Through the program, ADM works to sustain and strengthen its commitment to communities where ADM colleagues work, live, and operate by directing funding to initiatives and organizations driving meaningful social, economic, and environmental progress. The ADM Cares team evaluates potential projects submitted for funding to ensure they meet eligibility criteria, such as initiatives that support food security, health and well-being, and sustainability around the world.

Scenario Analysis

In line with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-Related Disclosures, ADM conducted an analysis using three scenarios: 1.5°C (based on IPCC SSP1), 2°C (based on IEA WEO 450 Scenario), and 2.6°C (based on IEA INDC Scenario). The first scenario assumes a rapid transition to a low carbon world in the next decade, limiting temperature increase of 1.5°C. This involves a high degree of transformation across the economy. Under this scenario, the worst anticipated physical impacts of climate change are avoided. The second scenario involves ambitious actions to mitigate climate change, limiting temperature increase of 2°C. This scenario requires greater policy action; however, there is still an increase in physical climate-related impacts. The third scenario is based on the current status quo with no changes to policies or actions and an anticipated increase in global temperature of 2.6°C resulting in increased physical impacts of climate change.

In each of the scenarios, the Company identified potential sourcing shifts and limitations, operational changes, physical impacts, and opportunities. The primary risks identified fall into two categories: physical and transition.Key opportunities are related to product and service offerings.

Item 1. BUSINESS (Continued)

The Company reviewed the results of the scenario analysis with a cross-functional team of individuals from finance, strategy, sustainability, operations, legal, and risk management. As part of the Company’s Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) process, the risks identified from the scenario analysis have been reviewed by the ERM team for mitigation actions. The risks are also reviewed by the ERM team on a quarterly basis to ensure they remain relevant.

Risk Management

See Item 1A, “Risk Factors” for the discussion of climate-related risks.

Metrics and Targets

Metrics and targets are available in ADM’s Corporate Sustainability Report which can be accessed through its website at http://www.adm.com.

References to the Company’s website address in this report are provided as a convenience and are not incorporated by reference. See Available Information on page 17 for more information.

Income Taxes

The Company has a responsibility to oversee that all ADM businesses within the Company follow responsible tax practices. ADM manages its tax affairs based upon the following key principles:

–a commitment to paying tax in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates;

–a commitment to the effective, sustainable, and active management of the Company’s tax affairs; and

–developing and sustaining open and honest relationships with the governments and jurisdictions in which the Company operates regarding the formulation of tax laws.

Human Capital and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

ADM’s purpose of unlocking the power of nature to enrich the quality of life highlights the significant role ADM plays within an essential industry and the critical job each employee has within the Company.

ADM has long maintained its Code of Conduct to help the Company achieve the right results, the right way. The code establishes high standards of honesty and integrity for all ADM colleagues and business partners, and sets forth specific policies to further the Company’s commitment to conducting business fairly and ethically everywhere it operates.

Item 1. BUSINESS (Continued)

The Company’s culture is grounded in its values of integrity, respect, excellence, resourcefulness, teamwork, and responsibility. ADM is a truly global company of 41,802 employees working together to achieve extraordinary results. Talented colleagues can be found in a wide variety of roles – including front-line workers who enable the production of ADM’s products, supply chain experts who deliver to customers all over the world, engineering teams who continuously improve the Company’s operations, sales and commercial teams who work closely with customers, information technology professionals who implement the technologies to enable the Company’s processes, and so many more. ADM continues to develop its workforce to remain relevant and deliver on the Company’s growth aspirations with a strong focus on sustainability.

The following tables set forth information about the Company’s employees as of December 31, 2023.

Number of Employees by Contract and Region

Salaried Hourly Part-Time/ Seasonal Total

Number of Employees by Type and Gender

Male % Female % Total %

Percentage of Employees by Level and Gender

Percentage

Male Female Total Male Female Total

The Company believes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) are key business priorities that will enable ADM to continue innovating, driving growth through customer focus, and delivering outstanding performance for shareholders. Part of ADM’s vision is to foster an inclusive culture with equitable opportunities for all employees so that all members of its diverse, global workforce belong and make meaningful contributions to the success of each other and the Company. The Company’s comprehensive DE&I strategy is focused on Recruitment, Advancement, Development, Retention and Culture, and is supported by a global DE&I council, which reflects the Company’s global business strategy across four regions of the world. In support of ADM’s commitment to a productive, diverse, and inclusive workforce, it is a signatory to the CEO Action for Diversity & InclusionTM and a member of Paradigm for Parity®. At the industry level, ADM founded and currently participates in Together We Grow, a consortium of agricultural industry leaders united in a shared belief that American agriculture’s best days are yet to come. Emphasizing diversity and inclusion, Together We Grow works to build a modern workforce with the skills, experience, and capabilities needed to keep pace with the growing world.

Item 1. BUSINESS (Continued)

ADM’s early career programs are focused on attracting and cultivating a diverse pipeline of early career talent which will become future leaders in the organization. Recruitment partnerships with a variety of organizations ensure that ADM engages with, supports, recruits, and hires inclusively, from front line production associates, to interns, to college graduates that begin their career across ADM’s business units, functions and regions.

In 2021, ADM launched the first of its Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). The inaugural group focused on women as part of the Company’s DE&I vision and strategy. The ERGs, also known as Affinity Groups, are voluntary, employee-led groups where colleagues with shared experiences, interests or goals can come together in a safe space to provide support, build a sense of community, and promote personal and professional development. Recognizing the broad spectrum of intersectionality, the Company has expanded its ERGs in 2022 across its four regions (North America, APAC, EMEA, and LATAM) to include, depending on geographic relevance, Multicultural, Black Colleague, Hispanic, Veterans, and LGBTQIA+ affinity groups. ADM’s ERGs are open to all employees. ADM holds an annual Global Week of Understanding, a signature week-long investment focused on continuous learning and strengthening ADM’s culture of belonging. The week features keynote presentations, training programs, ERG roundtable sessions, and onsite inclusion activities that foster an environment where all can thrive, and diversity of perspectives are harnessed to fuel innovation and growth.

Compensation and Benefits

ADM offers market-competitive pay, benefits, and services that help meet the needs of its employees. The Company’s global rewards package includes base pay, short-term incentive plans, long-term equity grants, paid time-off, employee assistance programs, and benefits that meet the country-specific competitive markets in which ADM operates. ADM’s global bonus plan has clearly defined enterprise metrics and objectives which are the same for all eligible employees – creating a strong team spirit and fostering collaboration among colleagues.

Employee Development

All ADM employees participate annually in training and development that further increases knowledge, skills, and awareness on current and important topics. In addition, ADM offers many voluntary training opportunities, including in-person, virtual and on-demand training that have largely moved to virtual and on-demand learning. Among the offerings are an Ability to Connect Program that cultivates business language skills to foster collaboration and LinkedIn Learning Platform which offers access to over 16,000 courses in 7 languages to support career development. ADM’s leadership development program, Ability to Lead, focuses on enabling innovation, driving productivity, developing talent, change leadership, building trust, and coaching teams for engagement and performance. Additionally, first time and front line leaders are offered a Leadership Essentials program that cultivates effective communication, coaching, and the engagement and retention of talent.

ADM prides itself in offering equitable career opportunities that include global assignments for its high potential talent, internal career growth for those who wish to learn more, and experiential learning through projects, mentorships, and on-the-job development.

Board Diversity

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has worked hard to recommend nominees who have skills and experiences relevant to ADM’s strategy and operations and who reflect the diversity of the world around us. As of December 31, 2023, 64% of ADM’s 11 board members identify as members of underrepresented groups – five are African-American, Hispanic or Asian, and four are women.

Workplace Safety

ADM is committed to providing a safe working environment for all of its employees and contractors. For the last several years, the Company has been working to significantly reduce its incident rate by strengthening its safety culture and systems so everyone will go home safely to their families and the things that are most important to them.

In 2023, about 76% of ADM’s sites completed the year without recordable injuries and about 90% without lost workday injuries. The Company’s Total Recordable Incident Rate and Lost Workday Incident Rate for ADM colleagues (excluding unsupervised contractors) were 0.68 and 0.23, respectively.

Item 1. BUSINESS (Continued)

In 2023, the Company had two ADM colleague fatalities and 12 serious injuries. The Company continues to take steps to further enhance the safety of its workplaces through occupational safety and process safety improvements and maintains a goal of zero fatalities. Through the guidance of the Environmental, Health, and Safety Technology Center, the operations teams focused on three programs to reduce the most serious injuries:

–Safe Work Permit and Last Minute Risk Assessment Standards;

–Gloves Clock-to-Clock Program;

–New Site Integration Process; and

–Loss Prevention Principles

Through continued application of these programs, ADM aims to continue to reduce its recordable injury rate in 2024 versus 2023.

Available Information

The Company’s website is http://www.adm.com. ADM’s annual reports on Form 10-K; quarterly reports on Form 10-Q; current reports on Form 8-K; directors’ and officers’ Forms 3, 4, and 5; and amendments to those reports, if any, are available, free of charge, through its website, as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing such materials with, or furnishing them to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

The Company’s Code of Conduct, Corporate Governance Guidelines, and the written charters of the Audit, Compensation and Succession, Nominating and Corporate Governance, Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility, and Executive Committees are also available through its website.

References to the Company’s website address in this report are provided as a convenience and do not constitute, and should not be viewed as, an incorporation by reference of the information contained on, or available through, the website. Therefore, such information should not be considered part of this report.

The SEC maintains a website which contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file information electronically with the SEC. The SEC’s website is http://www.sec.gov.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

The risks described below, as well as the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, should be carefully considered. Any one or more of such risks could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations, and stock price and could cause actual results of operations and financial condition to vary materially from past or anticipated future results of operations and financial condition. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Company or that the Company currently believes to be immaterial may also adversely affect the Company.

Operational Risks

The Company is exposed to potential business disruption which could adversely affect the Company’s operating results.

The assets and operations of the Company could be subject to unplanned downtime or extensive property damage and business disruption from various events which include, but are not limited to, equipment failure, raw material shortages, natural disasters, severe weather conditions, accidents, explosions, fires, or other unexpected outages. ADM is committed to resiliency but these efforts may not resolve emergencies timely or effectively, and the associated liability which could result from these risks may not always be covered by or could exceed liability insurance.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS (Continued)

The Company’s operations rely on dependable and efficient transportation services, the disruption of which could result in difficulties supplying materials to the Company’s facilities and impair the Company’s ability to deliver products to its customers in a timely manner. The Company relies on access to navigable rivers and waterways in order to fulfill its transportation obligations more effectively. In addition, if certain non-agricultural commodity raw materials, such as water or certain chemicals used in the Company’s processing operations, are not available, the Company’s business could be disrupted. Any major lack of available water for use in certain of the Company’s processing operations could have a material adverse impact on operating results. Certain factors which may impact the availability of non-agricultural commodity raw materials are out of the Company’s control including, but not limited to, disruptions resulting from weather, high or low river water conditions, economic conditions, border closures, manufacturing delays or disruptions at suppliers, shortage of materials, interruption of energy supply, and unavailable or poor supplier credit conditions.

Transportation, inflationary impacts, and fluctuations in energy prices could affect the Company’s operating results.

The Company’s operating costs and the selling prices of certain finished products are sensitive to changes in energy prices, inflationary pressures, and certain logistic constraints. The Company’s processing plants are powered principally by electricity, natural gas, and coal. The Company’s transportation operations are partially dependent upon rail access, diesel fuel and other petroleum-based products. Significant increases in the cost or access of these items, including any consequences of regulation or taxation of greenhouse gases, could adversely affect the Company’s production costs and operating results. The Company continues to use internal and external resources to identify opportunities and take action to reduce associated impacts and its energy intensity globally to meet its demand while mitigating the effects of climate change.

Human capital availability may not be sufficient to effectively support global operations.

ADM’s global operations function with trained individuals necessary for the processing, warehousing, and shipping of raw materials for products used in other areas of manufacturing or sold as inputs or products to third-party customers. The availability of skilled trade and production workers has been a specific focus for the United States manufacturing industry. The Company has various methods and tactics to mitigate potential shortfalls. The inability to properly staff manufacturing facilities with skilled trades and hourly labor due to a limited number of qualified resources could negatively impact operations.

The Company may fail to realize the benefits of or experience delays in the execution of its growth strategy.

As the Company executes its growth strategy, through both organic and inorganic growth, it may encounter risks which could result in increased costs, decreased revenues, and delayed synergies. Growth in new geographies outside the U.S. can expose the Company to volatile economic, political, and regulatory risks that may negatively impact its operations and ability to achieve its growth strategy. Expanding businesses where the Company has limited presence may expose the Company to risks related to the inability to identify an appropriate partner or target and favorable terms, inability to retain/hire strategic talent, or integration risks that may require significant management resources that would have otherwise been available for ongoing growth or operational initiatives. Acquisitions may involve unanticipated delays, costs, and other problems. Due diligence performed prior to an acquisition may not identify a material liability or issue that could impact the Company’s reputation or adversely affect results of operations resulting in a reduction of the anticipated acquisition benefits. Additionally, acquisitions may involve integration risks such as: internal control effectiveness, system integration risks, the risk of impairment charges related to goodwill and other intangibles, ability to retain acquired employees, and other unanticipated risks. The Company may fail to realize the operational or financial benefits expected from acquisitions, which may impact the Company’s growth strategy.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS (Continued)

The Company has limited control over and may not realize the expected benefits of its equity investments and joint ventures and may not be able to monetize the investments at an attractive value when the Company decides to exit the investments.

The Company has $5.5 billion invested in or advanced to joint ventures and investments over which the Company has limited control as to governance and management activities. Net sales to unconsolidated affiliates during the year ended December 31, 2023 were $7.0 billion. Risks related to these investments may include: the financial strength of the investment partner; loss of revenues and cash flows to the investment partner and related gross profit; the inability to implement beneficial management strategies, including risk management and compliance monitoring, with respect to the investment’s activities; the risk that the Company may not be able to resolve disputes with the partners; and the risk that the Company may not realize the operational or financial benefits expected from the investment. The Company may encounter unanticipated operating issues, financial results, or compliance and reputational risks related to these investments. The Company mitigates this risk using controls and policies related to joint venture formation, governance (including board of directors’ representation), merger and acquisition integration management, and harmonization of joint venture policies with the Company’s policies and controls.

The Company faces risks related to health epidemics, pandemics, and similar outbreaks.

The Company could be materially impacted in the future if a more severe variant of the coronavirus (COVID-19) or other disease would arise causing disruptions far more severe than previously experienced. In such circumstances, ADM may be unable to perform fully on its contractual obligations, critical global supply chain and logistical networks may be affected, and costs and working capital needs may increase. These cost increases may not be fully recoverable or adequately covered by insurance. In addition, demand for certain products that ADM produces, particularly biofuels and ingredients that go into food and beverages that support the food services channels, could be materially impacted from a prolonged regional or global outbreak, leading to government-imposed lockdowns, quarantines, or other restrictions.

Geopolitical Risks

The Company faces risks related to international conflicts, acts of terrorism or war, or other geopolitical events, such as the ongoing war in Ukraine, Israel-Hamas war, sanctions, and other economic disruptions.

ADM’s assets and operations could be subject to extensive property damage and business disruption from geopolitical conflicts, acts of terrorism (e.g. purposeful adulteration of the Company’s products), and war. The assets and operations located in the region affected by the war in Ukraine are at an increased risk to property damage, inventory loss, business disruption, and expropriation. The Black Sea region is a major exporter of wheat and corn to the world, and the disruption of supply may continue to cause volatility in volumes, prices, and margins of these commodities and related products. While the Company has a robust trade sanctions compliance program, there is a risk that ADM and its related parties could trade with a sanctioned partner due to the number of sanctions taken against Russia. Trade receivables may be at risk of higher defaults, and other third-party risks could affect ADM’s ability to obtain inputs if suppliers are unable to perform or face insolvency, as certain supplies may not be attainable due to sanctions and/or restrictions on cross-border payment transactions. The Company could be materially impacted if, in the worst-case scenario, the conflict in Ukraine advances to other countries. Though currently limited, the risk to ADM’s business from the war in Israel could increase if it expands into other countries. In such circumstances, trade policies and the Company’s critical global supply chain and logistical networks could be affected, impairing the Company’s ability to satisfy contractual obligations and impacting working capital requirements. Insurance may not adequately cover these risks. In addition, provisions for certain products that ADM produces, particularly those that support the food services channels, could be materially impacted. The Company continues to monitor risks associated to the conflicts in Ukraine and Israel along with the Red Sea and other political tensions and evaluate alternatives to reduce the impacts of these risks.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS (Continued)

Political instability and changes in trade policies could negatively impact the Company’s financial results.

The Company’s operating results could be affected by political instability and by changes in monetary, fiscal, trade, and environmental policies, laws, regulations, and acquisition approvals, creating risks including, but not limited to: changes in a country’s or region’s economic or political conditions, local labor conditions and regulations, and safety and environmental regulations; reduced protection of intellectual property rights; changes in the regulatory or legal environment; restrictions on currency exchange activities; currency exchange fluctuations; burdensome taxes and tariffs; enforceability of legal agreements and judgments; adverse tax, administrative agency or judicial outcomes; and regulation or taxation of greenhouse gases. International risks and uncertainties, including changing social and economic conditions as well as terrorism, political hostilities, and war, could limit the Company’s ability to transact business in these markets. The Company has historically benefited from the free flow of agricultural and food and feed ingredient products from the U.S. and other sources to markets around the world. Increases in tariff and restrictive trade activities around the world could negatively impact the Company’s ability to enter certain markets or the price of products may become less competitive in those markets.

Investigation Risks

The Investigation and related events could have a material adverse impact on the Company.

•the Company’s Board of Directors and senior management have been required to devote significant time to the Investigation, the correction of certain segment-specific historical financial information and related matters, resulting in potential management distraction from the operation of the business;

•the price of the Company’s common stock has declined significantly, has been subject to fluctuations and could continue to fluctuate upon further announcements or actions;

•the Company is facing securities litigation and could face additional litigation under federal and state securities laws or other claims arising from the Investigation, such litigation can be costly to defend, and if decided against the Company, such litigation could require the Company to pay substantial judgments or settlements;

•the Company could discover additional material or immaterial errors in its financial statements; and

•two of the Company’s credit ratings have been placed “On Credit Watch” and “Ratings Under Review,” and if the ratings are effectively downgraded, the Company’s access to the credit markets and its ability to fund its working capital and capital expenditures may be affected.

Each of the risks described above could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

In addition, although the Company has taken certain actions in response to the findings of the Investigation, the Company could take new or different actions in addition to those taken to date if it determines those actions are appropriate. Such actions are uncertain and could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business and the price of its common stock.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS (Continued)

The Company is subject to ongoing government investigations, and the timing for their resolution and outcome cannot be predicted.

In addition to the SEC’s voluntary document request described above, following the Company’s January 21, 2024 announcement of the Investigation, the Company received voluntary document requests from the DOJ focused primarily on the same subject matter, and the DOJ directed grand jury subpoenas to certain current and former Company employees. The Company cannot predict when these investigations will be completed, nor can it predict the results of these investigations. Expenses incurred in connection with these investigations (which include substantial fees of lawyers and other professional advisors and potential obligations to indemnify officers and directors who are parties to these investigations) could adversely affect the Company’s liquidity position. The Company may be required to pay material fines, consent to injunctions on future conduct or be subject to other penalties, each of which could have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. These government investigations may adversely affect the Company’s ability to obtain, and/or increase the cost of obtaining, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance and/or other types of insurance. In addition, the findings and outcomes of the Investigation as well as the government investigations could result in additional litigation or actions taken by third parties against the Company. The effects and results of such other litigation or actions may have a materially adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

The Company identified a material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, which could impact the Company’s ability to report its results of operations and financial condition accurately and in a timely manner.

In connection with the Investigation, the Company identified a material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting related to its accounting practices and procedures for intersegment sales. The material weakness resulted from inadequate controls that allowed for certain intersegment sales to be reported at amounts not approximating market. For a description of this material weakness, see “Controls and Procedures” in Part II, Item 9A herein. While the Company has developed a remediation plan, the Company will not be able to conclude whether the steps the Company is taking will remediate the material weakness until a sustained period of time has passed to allow management to test the design and operational effectiveness of the new controls.

The material weakness, if not fully addressed, could result in additional accounting errors, such as those resulting in the correction of certain segment-specific historical financial information as discussed under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 herein and in Note 17 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Part II, Item 8 herein. The Company may be unable to remediate this material weakness in a timely manner, which could adversely impact the accuracy and timeliness of future reports and filings the Company makes with the SEC.

Negative publicity may adversely affect the Company and the market price of its common stock.

The Company has become subject to negative publicity as a result of the Investigation and related events. Negative publicity and unfavorable perception of the Company could have caused and could cause significant declines in the price of the Company’s common stock. Negative publicity could also impact the terms under which some customers and suppliers are willing to continue to do business with the Company and could affect the Company’s financial performance or financial condition. In addition, negative publicity or unfavorable perceptions could make it more difficult for the Company and its employees to operate, resulting in reduced morale, a potential increase in employee turnover, and difficulty attracting talent. As a result, any negative publicity could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and the market price of its common stock.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS (Continued)

Environmental, Social, and Governance Risks

The Company may be impacted by carbon emission regulations in multiple regions throughout the globe.

The production of the Company’s products uses materials that can create emissions of certain regulated substances, including GHG emissions. Such regulated emissions also include indirect emissions that occur in the value chain as the result of activities from assets now owned or controlled by the Company. A number of jurisdictions where the Company has operations have implemented or are in the process of implementing carbon pricing programs or regulations to reduce GHG emissions impacting climate change and rising sea levels including, but not limited to, the United States, Canada, Mexico, the European Union and its member states, and China. In particular, the State of Illinois enacted legislation intended to eliminate carbon emissions by 2050 which includes the mandate for zero emissions for private coal by 2030. It is difficult at this time to estimate the likelihood of passage, or predict the potential impact, of any additional legislation, regulations or agreements. Potential consequences of new obligations could include increased energy, transportation, raw material, and administrative costs, and may require the Company to make additional investments in its facilities and equipment.

Operations could be impacted by the European Union (EU) deforestation-free regulation as part of the EU Green Deal.

The EU deforestation-free regulation was approved late 2022 and is effective December 2024. The regulation affects seven specific commodities (i.e. cocoa, coffee, soy, palm oil, wood, rubber, and cattle) and their derivatives, as well as products made using these commodities (e.g. leather, cosmetics, chocolate, etc.). Soybean is the primary commodity that could be impacted due to the volume of export into and used in production in the EU. Failure to comply with the regulation could have serious consequences including civil, administrative, and criminal penalties, as well as negative impact on the Company’s reputation, business, cash flows, and results of operations.

Food or feed risks derived from quality issues or off label product usage, occupational health and safety issues, and ineffective diversification programs may expose the Company to certain regulatory or reputational risks.

The Company is subject to federal, state, and local regulations on manufacturing or labeling; socially acceptable and sustainable farming practices; environmental, health, and safety regulations; and customer product liability claims. The liability which could result from certain of these risks may not always be covered by, or could exceed liability insurance related to product liability and food safety matters maintained by the Company. Risks to the Company’s reputation may exist due to potential negative publicity caused by product liability, food safety, occupational health and safety, workforce diversity, and environmental matters. The Company is continuing to further diversity throughout the organization and deploy additional food safety and security procedures and controls to appropriately mitigate the risks of any adulteration of the Company’s products in the supply chain and finished products in production and distribution networks. In addition, the Company conforms to management systems, such as the International Organization for Standardization or other recognized global standards.

The Company’s sustainable practices require oversight and robust monitoring requirements. The lack of unified reporting standards increases sustainability regulatory compliance and reporting requirements.

The Company has programs and policies in place (e.g., Corporate Sustainability Program; Commitment to Protecting Forests, Biodiversity and Communities; Environmental Policy; Strive 35 environmental goals; etc.) to expand responsible practices while reducing its environmental footprint and to help ensure compliance with laws and regulations. Implementation of these programs and policies sometimes requires the acquisition of technology or capital investments at a cost to the Company. Starting in 2026, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) will require companies within the European Union to report extensive climate-related information for the 2025 financial year. The reporting requirements of CSRD, along with the growing multitude of corporate sustainability reporting standards, will result in increased compliance costs and could result in regulatory reporting risks as each standard will have its own required disclosures. Failure to comply with laws and regulations can have serious consequences, including civil, administrative, and criminal penalties as well as a negative impact on the Company’s reputation, business, cash flows, and results of operations.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS (Continued)

Financial Risks

Limitations on access to external financing could adversely affect the Company’s operating results due to its capital-intensive nature.

The Company requires significant capital, including continuing access to credit markets, to operate its current business and fund its growth strategy. The Company’s working capital requirements, including margin requirements on open positions on futures exchanges, are directly affected by the price of agricultural commodities, which may fluctuate significantly and change quickly. The Company also requires substantial capital to maintain and upgrade its extensive network of storage facilities, processing plants, refineries, mills, ports, transportation assets, and other facilities to keep pace with competitive developments, technological advances, regulations, and changing safety standards in the industry. Moreover, the expansion of the Company’s business and pursuit of acquisitions or other business opportunities may require significant amounts of capital. Access to credit markets and pricing of the Company’s capital is dependent upon maintaining sufficient credit ratings from credit rating agencies. Strong credit ratings allow the Company to access cost-competitive tier one commercial paper markets. As of December 31, 2023, the three major credit rating agencies maintained the Company’s credit ratings at investment grade levels. Subsequent to December 31, 2023, the Company’s ratings were placed “On Credit Watch” and “Ratings Under Review” by two of the credit rating agencies. Further watches, reviews or downgrades could occur. If the Company is unable to maintain sufficiently high credit ratings, access to these commercial paper and other debt markets and costs of borrowings could be adversely affected. If the Company is unable to generate sufficient cash flow or maintain access to adequate external financing, including as a result of significant disruptions in the global credit markets, it could restrict the Company’s current operations and its growth opportunities. The Company manages this risk with constant monitoring of credit/liquidity metrics, cash forecasting, and routine communications with credit rating agencies regarding risk management practices and diversifying sources of liquidity.

Strategic and Economic Risks

Agricultural commodities, agricultural commodity products, and non-agricultural commodity raw materials the Company procures, transports, stores, processes, and merchandises can be affected by various factors beyond the Company’s control.

The availability and prices of agricultural commodities are subject to wide fluctuations, including impacts from factors outside the Company’s control such as changes in market conditions, weather conditions, crop disease, plantings, government programs and policies, climate change, competition, and changes in global demand, which could adversely affect the Company’s operating results. The Company uses a global network of procurement, processing, and transportation assets, as well as robust communications between global commodity merchandiser teams, to continually assess price and basis opportunities. Management-established limits (including a corporate wide value-at-risk metric), with robust internal reporting, help to manage risks in pursuit of driving performance. Additionally, the Company depends globally on agricultural producers to ensure an adequate supply of the agricultural commodities.

Reduced supply of agricultural commodities and rising costs of non-agricultural commodity raw materials could adversely affect the Company’s profitability by increasing the cost of raw materials and/or limiting the Company’s ability to procure, transport, store, process, and merchandise agricultural commodities and products in an efficient manner. High and volatile commodity and non-agricultural commodity prices can place more pressures on short-term working capital funding. Conversely, if supplies are abundant and crop production globally outpaces demand for more than one or two crop cycles, price volatility is somewhat diminished. This could result in reduced operating results due to the lack of supply chain dislocations and reduced market spread and basis opportunities.

The Company has certain finished products, such as ethanol and biodiesel, which are closely related to, or may be substituted for, petroleum products, or in the case of ethanol, blended into gasoline to increase octane content. Therefore, the selling prices of ethanol and biodiesel can be impacted by the selling prices of gasoline, diesel fuel, and other octane enhancers. A significant decrease in the price of gasoline, diesel fuel, or other octane enhancers could result in a significant decrease in the selling price of the Company’s ethanol and biodiesel. The Company uses derivative contracts as anticipatory hedges for both purchases of commodity inputs and sales of energy-based products in order to protect itself in the near term against these price trends and to protect and maximize processing margins.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS (Continued)

The Company is subject to economic downturns and regional economic volatilities, which could adversely affect the Company’s operating results.

The Company conducts its business and has substantial assets located in many countries and geographic areas. While 63% of the Company’s long-lived assets are located in the United States, the Company also has significant operations in both developed areas (such as Western Europe, Canada, and Brazil) and emerging market areas. One of the Company’s strategies is to expand the global reach of its core model, which may include expanding or developing its business in emerging market areas. Both developed and emerging market areas are subject to impacts of economic downturns, including decreased demand for the Company’s products, and reduced availability of credit, or declining credit quality of the Company’s suppliers, customers, and other counterparties. In addition, emerging market areas could be subject to more volatile operating conditions including, but not limited to, logistics limitations or delays, labor-related challenges, epidemic outbreaks and economic recovery, limitations or regulations affecting trade flows, local currency concerns, and other economic and political instability. Political fiscal instability could generate intrusive regulations in emerging markets, potentially creating unanticipated assessments of taxes, fees, increased risks of corruption, etc. Economic downturns and volatile market conditions could adversely affect the Company’s operating results and ability to execute its long-term business strategies, although the nature of many of the Company’s products (i.e. food and feed ingredients) is less sensitive to demand reductions in any economic downcycle. The Company mitigates this risk in many ways, including country risk and exposure analysis, government relations and tax compliance activities, and robust ethics compliance training requirements.

The Company has significant competition in the markets in which it operates and is subject to industry-specific risks which could adversely affect the Company’s operating results.

The Company faces significant competition in each of its businesses and has numerous competitors, who can be different depending upon each of the business segments in which it participates. The Company competes for the acquisition of inputs such as raw materials, transportation services, and other materials and supplies, as well as for workforce and talent. Competition impacts the Company’s ability to generate and increase its gross profit as a result of the following factors: Pricing of the Company’s products is partly dependent upon industry processing capacity, which is impacted by competitor actions to bring idled capacity on-line, build new production capacity or execute aggressive consolidation; many of the products bought and sold by the Company are global commodities or are derived from global commodities that are highly price competitive and, in many cases, subject to substitution; significant changes in exchange rates of foreign currencies versus the U.S. dollar, particularly the currencies of major crop growing countries, could also make goods and products of these countries more competitive than U.S. products; improved yields in different crop growing regions may reduce the reliance on origination territories in which the Company has a significant presence; and continued merger and acquisition activities resulting in further consolidations could result in greater cost competitiveness and global scale of certain players in the industry, especially when acquirers are state-owned and/or backed by public funds and have profit and return objectives that may differ from publicly traded enterprises. To compete effectively, the Company focuses on safely improving efficiency in its production and distribution operations, developing and maintaining appropriate market presence, maintaining a high level of product safety and quality, supporting socially responsible and sustainable practices, promoting environmental responsibility, and working with customers to develop new products and tailored solutions.

The Company is subject to industry-specific risks which include, but are not limited to: launch of new products by other industries that can replace the functionalities of the Company’s production; shifting consumer preferences; and product safety and quality. In the case of the Nutrition business, while maintaining efficient and cost-effective operations are important, the ability to drive innovation and develop quality nutritional and wellness solutions for human and animal needs are key factors to remain competitive in the nutrition market. Certain of the Company’s merchandised commodities and finished products are used as ingredients in livestock and poultry feed. The Company is subject to risks associated with economic, product quality, feed safety or other factors which may adversely affect the livestock and poultry businesses, including the outbreak of disease in livestock and poultry, for example African swine fever, which could adversely affect demand for the Company’s products used as ingredients in feed. In addition, ADM’s increased investment in the flavors and ingredients businesses exposes the Company to increased risks related to rapidly changing consumer preferences and the impacts these changes could have on the success of certain of the Company’s customers. The Company continually assesses opportunities and demand in various regions.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS (Continued)

The Company’s risk management strategies may not be effective.

The Company has a Chief Risk Officer who oversees the ERM Program and regularly reports to the Board of Directors on the myriad of risks facing the Company and the Company’s strategies for mitigating those risks. The Company’s business is affected by fluctuations in agricultural commodity cash prices and derivative prices, transportation costs, energy prices, interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, and equity markets. The Company monitors position limits, counterparty risks, and liquidity levels, and engages in other strategies and controls to manage these risks. The Company regularly reports its aggregate commodity risk exposures to the Board of Directors through the ERM process. The Company has an established commodity merchandising governance process that ensures proper position reporting and monitoring, limit approvals, and executes training on trade compliance, commodity regulatory reporting controls, and other policies. The Company’s risk monitoring efforts may not be successful at detecting a significant risk exposure. If these controls and strategies are not successful in mitigating the Company’s exposure to these fluctuations, it could adversely affect the Company’s operating results.

Regulatory Risks

The Company is subject to numerous laws, regulations, and mandates globally which could adversely affect the Company’s operating results and forward strategy.

The Company does business globally, connecting crops and markets in over 190 countries, and is required to comply with laws and regulations administered by the United States federal government as well as state, local, and non-U.S. governmental authorities in numerous areas including: accounting and income taxes, anti-corruption, anti-bribery, global trade, trade sanctions, privacy and security, environmental, product safety, and handling and production of regulated substances. The Company frequently faces challenges from U.S. and foreign tax authorities regarding the amount of taxes due including questions regarding the timing, amount of deductions, the allocation of income among various tax jurisdictions. Legislatures and taxing authorities in many jurisdictions in which ADM operates may enact changes to their tax rules. For example, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (the “OECD”), the European Union, and other countries (including countries in which the Company operates) have committed to enacting substantial changes to numerous long-standing tax principles impacting how large multinational enterprises are taxed. In particular, the OECD’s Pillar Two initiative introduces a 15% global minimum tax applied on a country-by-country basis and for which many jurisdictions have now committed to an effective enactment date starting January 1, 2024. ADM will continually monitor potential and enacted tax changes, including the implementation of Pillar Two legislation, in the countries in which the Company operates. The impact of these potential new rules, as well as any other changes in domestic and international tax rules and regulations, could have a material effect on ADM’s effective tax rate. Any failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations or appropriately resolve these challenges could subject the Company to administrative, civil, and criminal remedies, including fines, penalties, disgorgement, injunctions, and recalls of its products, and damage to its reputation.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS (Continued)

Regulations specifically affecting the agricultural sector and related industries; regulatory policies or matters that affect a variety of businesses; and taxation polices could adversely affect the Company’s operating results.

Agricultural production and trade flows are subject to government policies, mandates, regulations, and trade agreements, including taxes, tariffs, duties, subsidies, incentives, foreign exchange rates, and import and export restrictions, including policies related to genetically modified organisms, traceability standards, sustainable practices, product safety and labeling, renewable fuels, and low carbon fuel mandates. These policies can influence the planting of certain crops; the location and size of crop production; whether unprocessed or processed commodity products are traded; the volume and types of imports and exports; the availability and competitiveness of feedstocks as raw materials; the viability and volume of production of certain of the Company’s products; and industry profitability. For example, changes in government policies or regulations of ethanol and biodiesel including, but not limited to, changes in the Renewable Fuel Standard program under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 in the United States, including the treatment of small refinery exemptions, can have an impact on the Company’s operating results. International trade regulations can adversely affect agricultural commodity trade flows by limiting or disrupting trade between countries or regions. Regulations of financial markets and instruments, including the Dodd-Frank Act, Consumer Protection Act, and the European Market Infrastructure Regulation, create uncertainty and may lead to additional risks and costs, and could adversely affect the Company’s futures commission merchant business and its agricultural commodity risk management practices. Future government policies may adversely affect the supply of, demand for, and prices of the Company’s products; adversely affect the Company’s ability to deploy adequate hedging programs; restrict the Company’s ability to do business in its existing and target markets; and adversely affect the Company’s revenues and operating results.

The Company’s strategy involves expanding the volume and diversity of crops it merchandises and processes, expanding the global reach of its core model, expanding its value-added product portfolio, and expanding the sustainable agriculture programs and partnerships it participates in. Government policies including, but not limited to, antitrust and competition law, trade restrictions, food safety regulations, sustainability requirements, and traceability, can impact the Company’s ability to execute this strategy successfully.

Technological Risks

Information technology (IT) systems are subject to interruptions or failures which may affect the Company’s ability to conduct its business.

The Company’s operations rely on certain key IT systems, some of which are dependent on services provided by third parties, to provide critical data connectivity, information, and services for internal and external users. These interactions include, but are not limited to: ordering and managing materials from suppliers; risk management activities; converting raw materials to finished products; inventory management; shipping products to customers; processing transactions; summarizing and reporting financial results of operations; human resources benefits and payroll management; and complying with regulatory, legal or tax requirements. Additionally, legacy technologies are used to support significant business functions. The instability of aging legacy systems could diminish performance and elevate the risk of system failures, reduce compatibility with modern software, and impact growth initiatives. The Company is implementing a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system and integrating it with various third party service providers on a worldwide basis as part of its ongoing business transformation program, which will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of certain financial and business transaction processes and the underlying systems environment. The new ERP system will mitigate the instability of aging legacy systems as the Company transitions to the new 1ADM platform.

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS (Continued)

The Company’s IT systems, processes, and sites may suffer cyber security breaches, which could expose the Company to operational and various regulatory risks.

Increased IT security and social engineering threats and more sophisticated computer crime, including advanced persistent threats, pose a potential risk to the security of the Company’s IT systems, networks, and services, as well as the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of the Company’s third party data. The Company is subject to a variety of laws and regulations in the United States and other jurisdictions regarding privacy, data protection, and data security, including those related to the collection, storage, handling, use, disclosure, transfer, and security of personal data. Compliance with and interpretation of various data privacy regulations continue to evolve and any violation could subject the Company to legal claims, regulatory penalties, and damage to its reputation. The Company has put in place security measures to endeavor to prevent, detect, and mitigate cyber-based attacks, and has instituted control procedures for cybersecurity incident response plans for its critical systems. In addition, the Company monitors this risk on an ongoing basis to detect and correct breaches, and reports metrics on the quality of the Company’s data security efforts and control environment to the highest level of management and to the Board of Directors. However, if the Company’s IT systems are breached, damaged, or cease to function properly due to any number of causes, such as catastrophic events, power outages, security breaches, or cyber-based attacks, and the Company’s recovery efforts do not effectively mitigate the risks on a timely basis, the Company may suffer significant interruptions in its ability to manage its operations, loss of valuable data, actual or threatened legal actions, and damage to its reputation, which may adversely impact the Company’s revenues, operating results, and financial condition.

Generative AI advancements are progressing at an unprecedented pace, which brings risks that could subject the Company to loss through various technical, legal, and opportunistic-related risks.

The pace of Generative AI and the complex and dynamic regulatory environment subjects the Company to a variety of risks including, but not limited to, data privacy and security vulnerabilities, unauthorized third-party usage of Company data associated with training models, malicious use and advanced deceitful communication methods, missed innovation opportunities, and potential competitive disadvantages. Guidance for awareness and responsible Generative AI use to protect ADM data from a legal and ethical standpoint, along with technological development for opportunistic uses, monitoring, and oversight are important components of the Company’s risk mitigation approach.

Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

The Company has no unresolved staff comments.

Item 1C. CYBERSECURITY

The Company faces significant and persistent cybersecurity risks due to: the breadth of geographies, networks, and systems ADM must defend against cybersecurity attacks such as exploitation of vulnerabilities, ransomware, denial of service, supply chain attacks, or other similar threats; the attractiveness of the Company’s systems and processes to threat actors (including state-sponsored organizations) seeking to inflict harm on ADM or its customers; the substantial level of harm that could occur to the Company and its customers in case of a material cybersecurity incident; and ADM’s use of third-party products, services and components. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company has not identified risks from cybersecurity threats, including as a result of prior cybersecurity incidents, that have materially affected or are reasonably anticipated to materially affect the Company, including its business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. Nevertheless, the Company recognizes cybersecurity threats are ongoing and evolving. For more information on the Company's cybersecurity risks, refer to Item 1A, “Risk Factors”. ADM is committed to supporting the governance and oversight of cybersecurity risks and to implementing mechanisms, controls, technologies, and processes designed to help the Company assess, identify, and manage these risks.

Cybersecurity risks are included in the risk universe that the Company’s ERM function evaluates, with input from information security subject matter experts at the Company, to assess top risks to the enterprise. The ERM process provides input into our strategic planning process, such as development of action plans to address and mitigate identified risks. Integrating cybersecurity risk into the overall ERM process in this manner assists the Company in identifying, assessing, and managing material cybersecurity risks.

Item 1C. CYBERSECURITY (Continued)

The Company has a dedicated cybersecurity team that collaborates with compliance, privacy, legal, and other teams across the global organization to assess the risk landscape. ADM’s cybersecurity program is designed to be aligned with applicable industry standards and is assessed regularly by independent third-party auditors. The multifaceted nature of the Company’s cybersecurity measures includes aspects of prevention, detection, and response capabilities, employee training programs, threat intelligence monitoring, and the implementation of an array of technologies. The Company has established processes to oversee and identify cybersecurity risks associated with the use of third-party service providers, which include the completion of due diligence before engaging with any third party, controls for response to mitigate any significant risks, and assessments and reviews during the course of the relationship. Additionally, the Company has ongoing partnerships with government and commercial cybersecurity experts to understand emerging cybersecurity threats.

The Company has seen an increase in cyberattack volume, frequency, and sophistication. ADM seeks to detect and investigate unauthorized attempts and attacks against its network, products, and services, and to prevent their occurrence and recurrence where practicable through changes or updates to the Company’s internal processes and tools; however, ADM remains potentially vulnerable to known or unknown threats. The Company’s cyber incident response plan includes an escalation process if a cybersecurity incident meets specific rating criteria to trigger swift and effective action designed to minimize potential disruptions and protect the integrity of our operations. The Company also conducts periodic cybersecurity scenarios with senior management to enhance preparedness.

The Board of Directors has oversight of cybersecurity risk, which it manages as part of the ERM program. The Board of Directors is assisted by the Audit Committee, which regularly reviews the cybersecurity program with management and reports to the Board of Directors. Cybersecurity reviews by the Audit Committee or the Board of Directors generally occur quarterly, or more frequently as determined to be necessary or advisable. In recent years, the Board added a director who had served as Chief Information Officer for a large public company with sensitive information to assist the Board and Audit Committee in overseeing cybersecurity risks.

The Company’s cybersecurity program is led by the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), who reports to the Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO). The CISO is informed about and monitors prevention, detection, mitigation, and remediation efforts through regular communication and reporting from professionals in the information security team, many of whom hold cybersecurity certifications in Information Systems Security or Information Security Management, and through the use of technological tools and software and results from third party audits. Additionally, the CISO directs the Global Information and Cyber Security Council (the “Council”), which includes a diverse range of relevant experts. The Council includes management from global technology, compliance, privacy, controlling, operations, security, automation, ERM, and internal audit. The Council promotes alignment and communication of new and ongoing cybersecurity prevention techniques and provides a forum for staying current on the latest cybersecurity threats.

The CISO and CTO have extensive experience assessing and managing cybersecurity programs and cybersecurity risk. The CISO has served in that position since 2018 and, was previously the Vice President, Head of Enterprise Security, Americas at Worldpay and a Security Principal/Strategist for Hewlett Packard Enterprises for a combined cybersecurity experience of 20 years. The CTO joined ADM in 2016 and was previously Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Dow Corning Corporation for approximately 6 years.

Item 2. PROPERTIES

The Company’s operations are such that most products are efficiently processed near the source of raw materials. Consequently, the Company has many plants strategically located in agricultural commodity producing areas. The annual volume of commodities processed will vary depending upon availability of raw materials and demand for finished products. The Company also owns approximately 160 warehouses and terminals primarily used as bulk storage facilities and has 67 innovation centers. Processing plants and procurement facilities owned or leased by unconsolidated joint ventures are not included in the tables below.

To enhance the efficiency of transporting large quantities of raw materials and finished products between the Company’s procurement facilities and processing plants and also the final delivery of products to its customers around the world, the Company owns approximately 1,900 barges, 10,100 rail cars, 230 trucks, 1,200 trailers, 140 boats, and 3 oceangoing vessels; and leases, under operating leases, approximately 640 barges, 21,800 rail cars, 350 trucks, 500 trailers, 24 boats, and 22 oceangoing vessels.

Item 2. PROPERTIES (Continued)

The daily capacities of the processing plants and storage capacities of the procurement facilities that the Company owns or leases, under operating leases, are as follows:

Ag Services and Oilseeds Processing Facilities (in 1,000s metric tons)

Owned Leased

Refined

Ag Products

Services Crushing and Other Total Crushing

Ag Services and Oilseeds Procurement Facilities (in 1,000s metric tons)

Owned Leased

Refined Refined

Ag Products Ag Products

Services Crushing and Other Total Services Crushing and Other Total

Carbohydrate Solutions Processing Plants (in 1,000s metric tons)

Owned Leased

Starches & Sweeteners Vantage Corn Processors Total Starches & Sweeteners

Carbohydrate Solutions Procurement Facilities (in 1,000s metric tons)

Owned Leased

Starches & Sweeteners Starches & Sweeteners

Europe — 18

Item 2. PROPERTIES (Continued)

Nutrition Processing Plants (in 1,000s metric tons)

Owned Leased

Human Nutrition Animal Nutrition Total Human Nutrition Animal Nutrition Total

Nutrition Procurement Facilities (in 1,000s metric tons)

Owned Leased

Human Nutrition Animal Nutrition Total Human Nutrition

Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is routinely involved in a number of actual or threatened legal actions, including those involving alleged personal injuries, employment law, product liability, intellectual property, environmental issues, alleged tax liability (see Note 13 in Item 8 for information on income tax matters), and class actions. The Company also routinely receives inquiries from regulators and other government authorities relating to various aspects of its business, and at any given time, the Company has matters at various stages of resolution. The outcomes of these matters are not within the Company’s complete control and may not be known for prolonged periods of time. In some actions, claimants seek damages, as well as other relief, including injunctive relief, that could require significant expenditures or result in lost revenues. In accordance with applicable accounting standards, the Company records a liability in its consolidated financial statements for material loss contingencies when a loss is known or considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. If the reasonable estimate of a known or probable loss is a range, and no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other, the minimum amount of the range is accrued. If a material loss contingency is reasonably possible but not known or probable, and can be reasonably estimated, the estimated loss or range of loss is disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. When determining the estimated loss or range of loss, significant judgment is required to estimate the amount and timing of a loss to be recorded. Estimates of probable losses resulting from litigation and governmental proceedings involving the Company are inherently difficult to predict, particularly when the matters are in early procedural stages, with incomplete facts or legal discovery; involve unsubstantiated or indeterminate claims for damages; potentially involve penalties, fines, disgorgement, or punitive damages; or could result in a change in business practice. See Note 20 in Item 8 for information on the Company’s legal proceedings which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

PART II

Common Stock Market

The Company’s common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “ADM”.

The number of registered stockholders of the Company’s common stock at March 8, 2024, was 7,795.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

(1) Total shares purchased represent those shares purchased in the open market as part of the Company’s publicly announced stock repurchase program described below, shares received as payment for the exercise price of stock option exercises, and shares received as payment for the withholding taxes on vested restricted stock awards. During the three-month period ended December 31, 2023, there were 1,229 shares received as payments for the withholding taxes on vested restricted stock awards.

(2) On November 5, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to 100,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock during the period commencing January 1, 2015 and ending December 31, 2019. On August 7, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the extension of the stock repurchase program through December 31, 2024 and the repurchase of up to an additional 100,000,000 shares under the extended program.

Performance Graph

The graph below compares the Company’s common stock with those of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P Consumer Staples Index. The graph assumes an initial investment of $100 on December 31, 2018 and assumes all dividends have been reinvested through December 31, 2023.

COMPARISON OF 60 MONTH CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN

Among Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM), the S&P 500 Index, and the S&P Consumer Staples Index

Item 6. [RESERVED]

This MD&A should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

The Company’s significant portfolio actions and announcements during 2023 include:

•the opening in February 2023 of a new production facility in Valencia, Spain to help meet rising global demand for probiotics, postbiotics, and other products that support health and well-being;

•the announcement in March 2023 of the signing of a joint venture agreement with Marel, a leading provider of advanced food processing solutions, to build an innovation center in the heart of the Netherlands food valley at the Wageningen Campus, subject to regulatory approvals;

•the announcement in May 2023 of a Strategic Development Agreement with Air Protein, a pioneer in air-based nutritional protein that requires no agriculture or farmland, decoupling protein production from traditional supply chain risks, to collaborate on research and development to advance new and novel proteins for nutrition;

•the announcement in June 2023 of the opening of a new Customer Creation and Innovation Center in Manchester, England, serving as a United Kingdom (UK) hub for food innovation and building upon ADM’s strong presence in the UK;

•the launch in July 2023 of a growth initiative of its re:generationsTM regenerative agriculture program that will drive expansion to cover 2 million acres across 18 U.S. states and Canada in 2023, and 4 million acres globally by 2025;

•the announcement in October 2023 of a strategic partnership with Solugen, a rapidly scaling climate technology company that is reimagining the chemistry of everyday to scale a range of innovative, plant-based specialty chemicals and bio-based building block molecules in a new manufacturing facility in Marshall, Minnesota.;

•the opening in November 2023 of Green Bison Soy Processing, a joint venture with Marathon Petroleum Corp, a leading, integrated, downstream energy company headquartered in Findlay, Ohio;

•the announcement in November 2023 of an expansion of the Company’s global regenerative agriculture efforts with the launch of the Brazil program that aims to promote and support sustainable agricultural production with a focus on soil health, biodiversity protection, improved soil fertility and resilience, and increased farm productivity;

•the announcement in November 2023 to expand crush capacity in Brazil and the acquisition of a controlling stake in Buckminster Química, a Macatuba, São Paulo-based producer of refined glycerin; and

•the acquisition in December 2023 of D.C.A. Finance B.V., a commodity derivative brokerage service provider.

Sustainability is a key driver in ADM’s expanding portfolio of environmentally responsible, plant-derived products. Consumers today increasingly expect their food and drink to come from sustainable ingredients, produced by companies that share their values, and ADM is continually finding new ways to meet those needs through its portfolio actions.

The Company’s strategic transformation is focused on three strategic pillars: Productivity, Innovation, and Culture.

The Productivity pillar includes (1) partnering across various global teams including procurement, supply chain, operations, and commercial to optimize costs and improve production volumes across the enterprise; (2) continued roll out of the 1ADM business transformation program and implementation of improved standardized business processes; and (3) increased use of technology, data analytics, and automation at production facilities, in offices, and with customers to improve efficiencies and customer service.

The Innovation pillar includes expansions and investments in (1) improving the customer experience by leveraging producer relationships and enhancing the use of state-of-the-art digital technology; (2) sustainability-driven innovation, which encompasses the full range of products, solutions, capabilities, and commitments to serve customers’ needs; and (3) growth initiatives, including organic growth with additional capacity to meet growing market demand and strategic objectives.

The Culture pillar focuses on building capabilities and enabling collaboration, teamwork, and agility from process standardization and digitalization and ADM’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, which bring new perspectives and expertise to the Company’s decision-making.

ADM plans to support the three pillars with investments in technology, which include expanding digital capabilities and investing further in research and development.

Operating Performance Indicators

The Company’s Ag Services and Oilseeds operations are principally agricultural commodity-based businesses where changes in selling prices move in relationship to changes in prices of the commodity-based agricultural raw materials. As a result, changes in agricultural commodity prices have relatively equal impacts on both revenues and cost of products sold. Therefore, changes in revenues of these businesses do not necessarily correspond to the changes in margins or gross profit. Thus, gross margins per volume or metric ton are more meaningful than gross margins as percentage of revenues.

The Company’s Carbohydrate Solutions operations and Nutrition businesses also utilize agricultural commodities (or products derived from agricultural commodities) as raw materials. However, in these operations, agricultural commodity market price changes do not necessarily correlate to changes in cost of products sold. Therefore, changes in revenues of these businesses may correspond to changes in margins or gross profit. Thus, gross margin rates are more meaningful as a performance indicator in these businesses.

The Company has consolidated subsidiaries in more than 70 countries. For the majority of the Company’s subsidiaries located outside the United States, the local currency is the functional currency except certain significant subsidiaries in Switzerland where Euro is the functional currency, and Brazil and Argentina where U.S. dollar is the functional currency. Revenues and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the weighted average exchange rates for the applicable periods. For the majority of the Company’s business activities in Brazil and Argentina, the functional currency is the U.S. dollar; however, certain transactions, including taxes, occur in local currency and require remeasurement to the functional currency. Changes in revenues are expected to be correlated to changes in expenses reported by the Company caused by fluctuations in the exchange rates of foreign currencies, primarily the Euro, British pound, Canadian dollar, and Brazilian real, as compared to the U.S. dollar.

The Company measures its performance using key financial metrics including net earnings, gross margins, constant currency revenue and operating profit, segment operating profit, adjusted segment operating profit, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), adjusted EBITDA, manufacturing expenses, selling, general, and administrative expenses, return on invested capital, economic value added, and operating cash flows before working capital. The Company’s financial results can vary significantly due to changes in factors such as fluctuations in energy prices, weather conditions, crop plantings, government programs and policies, trade policies, changes in global demand, general global economic conditions, changes in standards of living, and global production of similar and competitive crops. Due to these unpredictable factors, the Company undertakes no responsibility for updating any forward-looking information contained within “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Intersegment Sales

Background

As previously disclosed, the Company received a voluntary document request from the SEC relating to intersegment sales between the Company’s Nutrition reporting segment and the Company’s Ag Services and Oilseeds and Carbohydrate Solutions reporting segments. In response, the Company engaged external counsel, assisted by a forensic accounting firm, to conduct an internal investigation, overseen by the Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, which is separately advised by external counsel (the Investigation). As previously disclosed on January 21, 2024, the Company placed Vikram Luthar, Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President, on administrative leave.

Correction of Certain Segment-Specific Historical Financial Information

Based on the Investigation, the Company is correcting certain segment-specific historical financial information for the years ended December 31, 2021 through 2023 to reflect immaterial error corrections to certain intersegment sales as further described and set forth in Note 17, Segment and Geographic Information of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Part II, Item 8 herein.

The Company has historically disclosed in the footnotes to its financial statements that intersegment sales have been recorded at amounts approximating market. In connection with the Investigation, the Company identified certain intersegment sales that were not recorded at amounts approximating market. The immaterial error corrections generally arise from the measurement of intersegment sales pricing or rebates relating to products sold to the Nutrition reporting segment by the Ag Services and Oilseeds and Carbohydrate Solutions reporting segments.

For more information, see Note 17, Segment and Geographic Information of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Part II, Item 8 herein.

In addition, because the Investigation covers the period between January 2018 and September 2023, the Company is providing below information with respect to the adjustments effected to operating profit for each of the Company’s reporting segments for each of the years ended December 31, 2018 through 2023.

Impact of the Adjustments on Ag Services and Oilseeds Segment on Segment Operating Profit

Years Ended December 31

(1) The adjustments set forth in the tables above for the year ended December 31, 2023 reflect adjustments effected for the period January 1, 2023 through September 30, 2023. Given the timing of the Investigation, no adjustments were effected in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Impact of the Adjustments on Carbohydrate Solutions Segment Operating Profit

Years Ended December 31

Impact of the Adjustments on Nutrition Segment Operating Profit

Years Ended December 31

As further described in Note 17, Segment and Geographic Information of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Part II, Item 8 herein, the Company also corrected certain immaterial errors relating to the classification of certain intrasegment revenues. More information about such error correction is set forth in Note 17, Segment and Geographic Information.

Material Weakness

Government Investigations

The Company continues to cooperate with the SEC. Following the Company’s January 21, 2024 announcement of the Investigation, the Company received voluntary document requests from the Department of Justice (DOJ) focused primarily on the same subject matter, and the DOJ directed grand jury subpoenas to certain current and former Company employees. The Company is cooperating with the DOJ.

The foregoing is a summary of the Investigation and related matters. The Company could take new or different actions in addition to those taken to date if it determines those actions are appropriate.

Operations in Ukraine and Russia

ADM employs approximately 630 people in Ukraine and operates an oilseeds crushing plant, a grain port terminal, inland and river silos, and a trading office. The Company’s footprint in Russia is limited to operations related to the production and transport of essential food commodities and ingredients.

While the Company’s Ukraine and Russian operations have historically represented 0.1% of consolidated revenues, the direct and indirect impacts of the ongoing military action could negatively affect ADM’s future operating results. The conflict in Ukraine has created disruptions in global supply chains and has created dislocations of key agricultural commodities. The indirect impact of these dislocations on the Company’s operating results will be a function of a number of variables including supply and demand responses from the rest of the world as well as the length of the conflict and the condition of the agricultural industry and export infrastructure after the conflict ends. The Black Sea Grain Initiative, an agreement that allowed Ukraine to export grain and other food products, expired on July 17, 2023. In September 2023, a new alternative shipping corridor in the Black Sea took effect with Ukraine setting up temporary routes from ports in Greater Odessa. For more information, refer to Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors”.

As of December 31, 2023, ADM’s assets in Ukraine consisted primarily of current assets that were less than 1% of the Company’s total current assets and an immaterial amount of non-current assets. Of the total current assets in Ukraine, the majority were related to inventories that represented less than 2% of ADM’s total inventories.

Market Factors Influencing Operations or Results in the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2023

The Company is subject to a variety of market factors which affect the Company’s operating results. In Ag Services and Oilseeds, supply has been impacted by market dislocations driven by geopolitical uncertainty, record Brazil soybean production, and extreme drought conditions in Argentina. Inflationary pressures impacted the entire value chain. Crushing was positively impacted by sustainable biofuel demand and protein consumption around the globe. In Refined Products and Other, margins were driven by strong oil demand and elevated oil prices that were supported by biofuels demand, driven by favorable blend economics as historically low distillate fuel oil inventory drove diesel prices to all-time highs. Mediocre growth in mandated renewable volume obligations for 2023 to 2025 drove further market volatility. In Carbohydrate Solutions, demand for starches and sweeteners remained solid with stronger overall margins due to specialty products pricing. Lower gasoline prices in 2023 were supportive of higher domestic gasoline consumption and ethanol demand. Strong ethanol exports helped balance overall supply and demand and were supported by discretionary blending at export markets. In Nutrition, demand was softer in a few food and beverage product categories. Human Nutrition was impacted by inflation which drove lower demand especially in higher priced product categories in the food, beverage, and dietary supplement segment and impacted volumes in flavors, flavor systems, emulsifiers, bioactives, and alternative proteins. In Animal Nutrition, overall market remained weak with pressured farm gate prices in China and structurally decreasing European production. Certain tailwinds, however, including softening raw material prices, predominantly in micro ingredients, and recovery in global poultry production helped offset the negative impacts. The amino acids market continued to be subdued with ample supply from China.

Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022

Net earnings attributable to controlling interests decreased 20% or $0.9 billion, to $3.5 billion. Segment operating profit decreased 10% or $0.6 billion, to $5.9 billion, and included a net charge of $344 million consisting of asset impairment and restructuring charges and net settlement contingencies totaling $361 million and a gain on the sale of certain assets of $17 million. Included in segment operating profit in the prior year was a net charge of $100 million consisting of charges totaling $147 million related to the impairment of certain assets, restructuring, and contingencies/settlements, partially offset by gains on the sale of certain assets of $47 million. Adjusted segment operating profit (a non-GAAP measure) decreased $0.4 billion to $6.2 billion due primarily to lower results in Crushing, Wilmar, Nutrition, Ag Services, and Starches and Sweeteners, partially offset by higher results in Refined Products and Other, Other Business, and Vantage Corn Processors. Lower margins partially offset by improved pricing and positive timing impacts, overall decline in volume, higher manufacturing costs, and unplanned downtime at Decatur East decreased adjusted segment operating profit. Corporate results in the current year were a net charge of $1.6 billion and included a mark-to-market gain of $6 million on the conversion option of the exchangeable bonds issued in August 2020, acquisition-related expenses of $7 million, and restructuring charges of $6 million. Corporate results in the prior year were a net charge of $1.3 billion and included a mark-to-market gain of $9 million on the conversion option of the exchangeable bonds issued in August 2020.

Income taxes of $828 million decreased $40 million. The Company’s effective tax rate for 2023 was 19.3% compared to 16.6% for 2022. The change in the rate was due primarily to changes in the geographic mix of pretax earnings.

Analysis of Statements of Earnings

Processed volumes by product for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows (in metric tons):

The Company generally operates its production facilities, on an overall basis, at or near capacity, adjusting facilities individually, as needed, to react to the current margin environment and seasonal local supply and demand conditions. The overall increase in oilseeds processed volumes was primarily related to improved crush rates in the current year compared to decreased crush rates in the prior year resulting from the decline in global demand for rapeseed and the decline in canola crop due to the drought condition in North America. The overall decrease in corn processed volumes was related to unplanned downtime from plants in Decatur, Illinois and due to the earthquake in Turkey and fire at the Cedar Rapids, Iowa dry mill.

Revenues by segment for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

Ag Services and Oilseeds

Carbohydrate Solutions

Nutrition

Revenues and cost of products sold in agricultural merchandising and processing businesses are significantly correlated to the underlying commodity prices and volumes. In periods of significant changes in market prices, the underlying performance of the Company is better evaluated by looking at margins since both revenues and cost of products sold, particularly in Ag Services and Oilseeds, generally have a relatively equal impact from market price changes which generally result in an insignificant impact to gross profit.

Revenues decreased $7.6 billion to $93.9 billion due to lower sales prices ($10.3 billion), partially offset by higher sales volumes ($2.7 billion). Lower sales prices of oils, soybeans, corn, biodiesel, and farming materials and lower sales volumes of corn, were partially offset by higher sales volumes of soybeans and biodiesel. Ag Services and Oilseeds revenues decreased 8% to $73.4 billion due to lower sales prices ($10.1 billion), partially offset by higher sales volumes ($4.0 billion). Carbohydrate Solutions revenues decreased 8% to $12.9 billion due to lower sales prices ($0.6 billion) and lower sales volumes ($0.5 billion). Nutrition revenues decreased 6% to $7.2 billion due to lower sales volumes ($0.8 billion), partially offset by higher sales prices ($0.4 billion).

Cost of products sold decreased $7.6 billion to $86.4 billion due principally to lower average commodity costs partially offset by higher volumes and increased manufacturing expenses. Manufacturing expenses increased $0.3 billion due to individually insignificant increases in various expense categories.

Foreign currency translation impacts increased revenues by $0.1 billion and cost of goods sold by $0.1 billion with no impact to gross profit.

Gross profit decreased $0.1 billion or 1%, to $7.5 billion due to lower results in Crushing ($273 million), Nutrition ($232 million) and Ag Services ($68 million), partially offset by higher results in Refined Products and Other ($431 million) and Carbohydrate Solutions ($46 million). These factors are explained in the segment operating profit discussion on page 41.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased 3% to $3.5 billion due principally to higher salaries and benefit costs, increased expenses for contracted outside labor, and higher professional and financing fees, partially offset by lower provisions for bad debt.

Asset impairment, exit, and restructuring costs increased $276 million to $342 million. Charges in the current year consisted of $137 million of impairments related to goodwill in the Animal Nutrition reporting unit, $108 million of impairments related to property, plant, and equipment and an equity method investment, $64 million of impairments related to customer list and discontinued Animal Nutrition trademarks, and $27 million of restructuring, presented as specified items within segment operating profit, and $6 million of restructuring in Corporate. Charges in the prior year consisted of $37 million of impairments related to certain long-lived assets and $28 million of restructuring, presented as specified items within segment operating profit, and $1 million of restructuring in Corporate.

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates decreased $281 million to $551 million due primarily to lower earnings from the Company’s investments in Wilmar, Skyland Grain, LLC, and Hungrana Ltd., partially offset by higher earnings from ADM’s investment in Olenex.

Interest and investment income increased $206 million to $499 million due primarily to higher interest rates, partially offset by revaluation losses of $76 million compared to revaluation gains of $37 million in the prior year.

Interest expense increased $251 million to $647 million due primarily to increased short-term rates on customer deposit balances in ADM Investor Services and on the Company’s commercial paper borrowing programs and increased interest expense from a new debt issuance at a higher rate. Interest expense in the current year also included a $6 million mark-to-market gain adjustment related to the conversion option of the exchangeable bonds issued in August 2020 compared to a $9 million mark-to-market gain adjustment in the prior year.

Other income - net of $176 million decreased $182 million. Current year income included net gains on disposals of individually insignificant assets in the ordinary course of business of $38 million, the non-service components of net pension benefit income of $18 million, net foreign exchange gains of $85 million, and net other income. Prior year income included a legal recovery of $110 million related to the 2020 and 2019 closure of the Company’s export facility in Reserve, Louisiana, net foreign exchange gains of $105 million, a $50 million payment from the USDA Biofuel Producer Recovery Program, gains on disposals of individually insignificant assets in the ordinary course of business of $78 million, and the non-service components of net pension benefit income of $25 million, partially offset by net other expense.

Segment operating profit, adjusted segment operating profit (a non-GAAP measure), and earnings before income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:

Specified Items:

Gains on sale of assets (17) (47) 30

Impairment, restructuring, and net settlement contingencies 361 147 214

Adjusted Segment Operating Profit $ 6,244 $ 6,649 $ (405)

Ag Services and Oilseeds

Carbohydrate Solutions

Vantage Corn Processors 46 37 9

Nutrition

Ag Services and Oilseeds operating profit decreased 8%. In Ag Services, significantly higher origination volumes and margins in South America due to a record Brazilian soybean crop were mostly offset by decreased North American origination results from lower export demand and low water levels. Destination marketing, global ocean freight, and transportation results decreased due to less favorable timing effects and higher freight rates. Current year results also included a $48 million insurance settlement related to damages from Hurricane Ida compared to the prior year's $110 million legal recovery related to the 2019 and 2020 closure of the Company’s Reserve, Louisiana, export facility. In Crushing, global crush margins were historically strong, yet lower than the prior year’s record highs with the lower Argentine soybean crop driving a tight soybean meal supply, partially offset by improved processed volumes. In EMEA, lower meal demand and exports were offset by the switch capacity in the region. In Refined Products and Other, increasing global demand for fuel and food created elevated margins in North America and Europe for refined oils and biodiesel. In North America, sales volumes were also higher supported by U.S. renewable volume obligations and margins for food oil in Europe expanding year-over-year. Additionally, net positive mark-to-market timing effects that are expected to reverse as contracts execute in future periods contributed to the results in the current year. Equity earnings from Wilmar were lower versus the prior year.

Carbohydrate Solutions operating profit decreased 3%. Starches and Sweeteners, including ethanol production from the wet mills, capitalized on a solid demand environment during the year. North America starches and sweeteners delivered volumes and margins similar to the prior year with higher margins led by specialty products. Ethanol margins were solid as industry stocks moderated, though lower relative to the prior year. Results were negatively impacted due to unplanned downtime at one of the corn germ plants. In EMEA, the business effectively managed margins to deliver improved results. The global wheat milling business posted higher margins driven by solid customer demand. Vantage Corn Processors results were higher as the business executed on a robust demand and margin environment for ethanol partially offset by the absence of the prior year’s $50 million payment from the USDA Biofuel Producer Recovery Program.

Nutrition operating profit decreased 36%. Human Nutrition results were lower than the prior year, as the business continued to manage demand fulfillment challenges and destocking in certain categories. Flavors results were lower than the prior year driven by softer sales, higher expenses, and $45 million of negative impacts primarily related to the deconsolidation and write-down of a joint venture. Specialty Ingredients results were lower year-over-year due to continued lower market demand for plant-based proteins in meat alternatives and unplanned downtime at Decatur East. Health and Wellness results were lower than the prior year due to a revaluation loss of $19 million related to an investment in precision fermentation, partially offset by continued growth in the biotics category. Animal Nutrition results were lower compared to the prior year due to lower contribution from amino acids, pockets of softer global feed demand affecting volumes, and continued supply chain challenges and inventory losses in pet solutions.

Other Business operating profit increased 125%. Higher interest rates drove improved earnings in ADM Investor Services. Captive insurance results improved on premiums from new programs, partially offset by increased claim settlements.

Corporate results are as follows:

Interest expense - net $ (431) $ (333) $ (98)

Loss on sale of assets — (3) 3

Expenses related to acquisitions (7) (2) (5)

Gain on debt conversion option 6 9 (3)

Restructuring charges (6) (1) (5)

Other (expense) income (24) 40 (64)

Corporate results were a net charge of $1.6 billion in the current year compared to $1.3 billion in the prior year. Interest expense-net increased $98 million due primarily to increased short-term rates on the Company’s commercial paper borrowing programs and increased interest expense from a new debt issuance at a higher rate. Unallocated corporate costs increased $118 million due primarily to higher financing, information technology, and centers of excellence costs, partially offset by lower incentive compensation expense accruals and higher corporate cost allocation. Gain on debt conversion option was related to the mark-to-market adjustment of the conversion option of the exchangeable bonds issued in August 2020. Other income in the current year included the non-service components of net pension benefit income of $18 million and foreign exchange gains, partially offset by investment revaluation losses of $57 million and railroad maintenance expenses of $67 million. Other income in the prior year included investment revaluation gains of $37 million, the non-service components of net pension benefit income of $25 million, and foreign exchange gains, partially offset by railroad maintenance expenses of $67 million.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company uses adjusted net earnings, adjusted earnings per share (EPS), adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted segment operating profit, non-GAAP financial measures as defined by the SEC, to evaluate the Company’s financial performance. These performance measures are not defined by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and should be considered in addition to, and not in lieu of, GAAP financial measures.

Adjusted net earnings is defined as net earnings adjusted for the effects on net earnings of specified items. Adjusted EPS is defined as diluted EPS adjusted for the effects on reported diluted EPS of specified items. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, adjusted for specified items. The Company calculates adjusted EBITDA by removing the impact of specified items and adding back the amounts of interest expense and depreciation and amortization to earnings before income taxes. Adjusted segment operating profit is segment operating profit adjusted, where applicable, for specified items.

Management believes that adjusted net earnings, adjusted EPS, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted segment operating profit are useful measures of the Company’s performance because they provide investors additional information about the Company’s operations allowing better evaluation of underlying business performance and better period-to-period comparability. Adjusted net earnings, adjusted EPS, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted segment operating profit are not intended to replace or be an alternative to net earnings, diluted EPS, net earnings, and segment operating profit, respectively, the most directly comparable amounts reported under GAAP.

The table below provides a reconciliation of net earnings to adjusted net earnings and diluted EPS to adjusted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

In millions Per share In millions Per share

Average number of shares outstanding - diluted 542 563

Net earnings and reported EPS (fully diluted) $ 3,483 $ 6.43 $ 4,340 $ 7.71

Adjustments:

Gain on debt conversion option (net of tax of $0) (1) (6) (0.01) (9) (0.02)

(1) Tax effected using the U.S. and applicable tax rates.

The tables below provide a reconciliation of net earnings to adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA by segment for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Net earnings (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests (17) 25 (42)

Gains on sale of assets (17) (44) 27

Asset impairment, restructuring, and net settlement contingencies 367 148 219

Railroad maintenance expense 67 67 —

Expenses related to acquisitions 7 2 5

Market Factors Influencing Operations or Results in the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2022

The Company is subject to a variety of market factors which affect the Company’s operating results. In Ag Services and Oilseeds, strong global demand continued due to a short crop in South America. The conflict in Ukraine resulted in even tighter global stocks of commodities and created high volatility, which had a positive impact on North and South American origination prices. Global Trade results were driven by market disconnects, tight supply, strong destination marketing margins, and firm ocean freight rates. North American origination was negatively impacted by weather-related supply disruption and delayed planting and lower river levels. Crushing margins continued to benefit from strong protein and renewable diesel demand and tight oilseeds stocks. In Refined Products and Other, margins were driven by strong oil demand and tight supply with volatile energy markets driving up biodiesel margins. In Carbohydrate Solutions, demand for starches and sweeteners was solid with margins remaining steady despite higher input costs. Ethanol demand for domestic gasoline was lower, in part due to high gas prices, while export demand remained strong, driven by favorable blending economics and government incentives. Corn milling margins benefited from strong co-product results, as prices for oil and feed products rose in line with higher underlying corn prices. Corn costs were volatile and higher, in part due to a relatively low projected corn stocks-to-use ratio and uncertainty caused by the conflict in Ukraine. Nutrition benefited from overall strong demand in various food, beverage, and dietary supplement categories. In Human Nutrition, demand for flavors, flavor systems, specialty proteins, bioactives, and fibers was strong, but higher energy, transportation, and raw material costs, and a strong U.S. dollar adversely impacted results. In Animal Nutrition, amino acids pricing and margins improved due to a tighter global supply environment but the devaluation of certain currencies, a bird flu outbreak, and weak demand in other product lines, with some premix and additives customers cutting products out of formulation due to increased ingredient, freight, and energy costs, adversely impacted results. Increased competition in Brazil also contributed to the weak demand in that country. ADM’s productivity initiatives are improving the Company’s capabilities to help mitigate the impact of inflation.

Year Ended December 31, 2022 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2021

ADM US Equity

ADM · 10-K · period ended 2023-12-31

Item 1. BUSINESS

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Item 1C. CYBERSECURITY

Item 2. PROPERTIES

Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Item 6. [RESERVED]

ADM US Equity☆

ADM · 10-K · period ended 2023-12-31

Item 1. BUSINESS

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

Item 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

Item 1C. CYBERSECURITY

Item 2. PROPERTIES

Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Item 6. [RESERVED]

ADM US Equity