Cargill is a global corporation that was founded in 1865. It plays a crucial role in the global food supply chain by providing essential products and services.

In 1870, W. W. Cargill erected his first elevator and established headquarters in Albert Lea, Minnesota. This expansion marked a significant step in the growth of the company.

In 1875, W. W. Cargill relocates the Cargill family and headquarters to La Crosse, Wisconsin, which was a regional commerce hub. This move signifies the company's expansion and growth in the industry.

In 1881, the W. W. Cargill & Bro. terminal elevator is established in La Crosse, Wisconsin. This terminal elevator played a significant role in the company's operations and expansion during that period.

In 1882, Cargill sold their Red River Valley grain elevators to raise more capital, showcasing strategic business decisions in the company's history.

By 1885, Cargill, led by W. W. Cargill and his brothers, has expanded significantly with 102 structures across Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and the Dakotas. This expansion showcases the company's rapid growth and presence in the region.

In 1887, Sam Cargill left La Crosse to manage the office in Minneapolis, which was an important emerging grain center.

In 1895, William W. Cargill's daughter married John Hugh MacMillan, leading to family ties that influenced the company's leadership and direction.

In 1898, John H. MacMillan Sr. and his brother started working for W. W. Cargill. Later, John MacMillan married William Cargill's eldest daughter, Edna.

By the turn of the century, Cargill expanded its operations to handle coal, flour, feed, lumber, and seeds, and invested in railroads, land, water irrigation, and farms, increasing its reach and scale.

In 1903, Sam Cargill, a key figure in the leadership of Cargill Elevator Company, dies. His death creates a leadership vacuum, leading to an increased role for John MacMillan, Sr.

In 1905, W. W. Cargill purchases Elevator T in Minneapolis, Minnesota, transforming it from a small storage facility into a significant Midwest terminal elevator. This strategic acquisition enhances Cargill's presence in the region.

In 1909, W. W. Cargill, the founder of Cargill Elevator Company, passes away at the age of 64. His death marks a significant transition in the leadership of the company.

John MacMillan, Sr., consolidates operations under the Cargill Elevator Company in 1910, emphasizing the company's focus on trading and processing grain. He successfully repays debts and leads Cargill back to prosperity.

During World War I in 1918, Major John H. MacMillan, Jr., and Austen Cargill serve in the armed forces, while John MacMillan, Sr., ensures record profits for Cargill and establishes the company as a prominent grain trader in the U.S.

The financial crash in late 1920 resulted in Cargill Elevator experiencing its first annual loss in history, highlighting the challenges faced during that period.

In 1922, Cargill Elevator acquired a competitor, Taylor & Bournique, known for its private wire system that enabled instant messaging among employees, showcasing Cargill's focus on innovation and competitiveness.

In 1923, Cargill acquired Taylor & Bournique along with its teletype machine, enabling employees to send messages almost instantly, giving them a competitive edge.

In 1924, Cargill leased the 1.5-bushel Superior elevator in Buffalo, New York, as part of its expansion efforts, showcasing its commitment to growth and innovation.

Cargill opened its first Canadian operations in Montreal in 1928 as Cargill Grain Company Ltd., headquartered in Winnipeg.

In 1932, John H. MacMillan, Jr. takes over the leadership of the company from his father due to health issues.

In 1934, the Chicago Board of Trade denied membership to Cargill, leading to a decades-long feud. The US government intervened and forced the Board to accept Cargill as a member.

In 1936, Cargill Elevator and other Cargill firms merged to form Cargill, Incorporated, marking a significant milestone in the company's organizational structure.

In 1938, the Chicago Board of Trade suspended Cargill and three of its officers from the trading floor, accusing them of trying to corner the corn market. Cargill chose to trade through independent traders instead of rejoining later.

In 1939, Cargill started manufacturing Blue Square Feed in Lennox, South Dakota, marking a significant step in its product diversification and expansion into the feed industry.

Cargill is chosen by the U.S. navy to construct ocean-going tankers and towboats to aid the Allied war effort in Europe post the closure of its European and Argentinian offices.

The U.S. military selects Cargill in 1942 to build tankers and towboats to support the Allied war effort in Europe. The shipbuilding crew is shown at Port Cargill, Savage, Minnesota, circa 1943.

The USS Agawam, an Auxiliary Oil and Gas (AOG) tanker built at Port Cargill, travels on the Minnesota River under the Mendota Bridge in St. Paul, Minnesota, with several men on a small watercraft guiding the ship while a crowd of onlookers stand on the bridge above, in 1943.

Austen Cargill receives the E Award Flag from the U.S. Navy Air Station in Minneapolis in 1945. The Cargill Shipbuilding Division was awarded the Army-Navy E Award for excellence in production and contributions to the war effort.

During the 1950s, Cargill expands its presence by establishing trading offices in Europe, including Belgium in 1953, to strengthen its global trade operations.

In 1953, Cargill established Tradax, a Swiss subsidiary, to sell grain in Europe, expanding its international presence and market reach.

In 1958, Cargill decided to contribute to CARE's Food Crusade as a gesture of goodwill towards its employees, initiating a long-standing partnership with the organization.

In 1960, Erwin Kelm made history by becoming the first non-family-member president of Cargill, marking a significant milestone in the company's leadership.

In 1962, Cargill rejoined the Chicago Board of Trade, two years after the death of MacMillan. This marked a significant event in the company's history.

In 1965, Cargill commemorated its 100th anniversary with a special event held in Kansas City, Missouri, reflecting on a century of growth and success.

In 1966, Cargill introduced a new 'C' logo, symbolizing a fresh identity and branding for the company during that period.

In 1967, Cargill expanded into wet corn milling through the purchase of a mill in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, showcasing the company's diversification into new sectors.

In 1971, Cargill sold fumigated seed grain treated with a methylmercury-based fungicide to Iraq at the request of Saddam Hussein. The contaminated grain, intended for planting and not consumption, led to over 650 deaths due to mercury poisoning when consumed by unaware individuals.

In 1973, Shindi Mahal, a lab technician, conducts tests on the sulphur dioxide content of corn syrup at a corn milling plant in Dayton, Ohio.

In 1974, Cargill made significant acquisitions in Ralston Purina's turkey processing division and North Star Steel Company, expanding its presence in different industries.

In 1977, Whitney MacMillan, W. W. Cargill’s great-grandson, takes over as president of Cargill after Erwin Kelm's retirement. He is the last family member to hold the position of CEO.

In 1978, Cargill acquired the Leslie Salt refining company in Newark, California from Schilling, expanding its operations into the salt refining industry.

In 1979, Cargill acquired beef processor MBPXL, later known as Excel, marking its entry into the meat-processing business. The division expanded into turkey, food service, and food distribution.

During the 1980s, Cargill deepens its commitment to sustainability by partnering with Dr. Temple Grandin to improve the treatment of animals in beef supply chains and sets new industry standards. Additionally, Cargill collaborates with The Nature Conservancy to enhance environmental stewardship and establishes its first Environmental Policy and Corporate Environmental Affairs Office.

In 1981, Cargill ventures into cotton merchandising, expanding its portfolio to include the grading of cotton.

In 1982, Cargill reintroduces flour milling into its portfolio. Danny Hudgens is seen loading a pallet of flour in Shawnee Mission, Kansas.

Cargill started its business operations in Pakistan in 1984. Over the years, the company has expanded its presence in Pakistan's agricultural and food industries.

In 1986, Cargill formed Agroindustrial Mimesa in Maracaibo, Venezuela, through a partnership with the Possenti family's Mimesa C.A. The company focused on manufacturing flour and pasta, leading to further expansion.

Starting operations in 1987, Cargill established Cargill Foods India, a business unit that processes, refines, and markets a wide range of edible oils and fats. The unit caters to the food industry with various well-known brands.

Around 1990, Cargill acquires Akzo Salt, becoming one of the largest salt production and marketing companies globally, as illustrated by the St. Clair salt plant image from the 1990s.

The book 'Cargill: Trading the World's Grain' by Wayne G. Jr. Broehl, published in 1992, delves into the history and operations of Cargill, a major player in the global grain trade. It provides insights into the company's strategies and impact on the agricultural industry.

In response to demands for an initial public offering from private shareholders in the early 1990s, Cargill implemented an employee stock ownership plan. The company purchased 17% of the firm for $730 million and reorganized its board of directors.

Ernest Micek took over as chief executive of Cargill in August 1995. Under his leadership, the company faced financial challenges due to global economic crises.

In 1997, Cargill acquired Akzo Salt, propelling it to become one of the leading salt production and marketing companies globally.

In 1998, Cargill completes the construction of an innovative ship unloading and floating port outside Rozy, India, showcasing the company's commitment to efficient logistics and operations.

In 1999, Warren Staley assumed the roles of both CEO and president at Cargill, taking over leadership responsibilities.

In 2000, a listeria outbreak in a Cargill processing plant in Texas resulted in seven deaths, 29 illnesses, and three stillbirths or miscarriages. The outbreak was linked to sliced turkey from the plant.

In 2001, Cargill acquired feed producer Agribrands International as part of its strategic acquisitions.

In 2002, Cargill acquired European-based starch manufacturer Cerestar from Montedison for $1.1 billion. This acquisition expanded Cargill's presence in the European market.

In 2003, Cargill's earnings surpassed $US 1 billion for the first time.

In 2005, the International Labor Rights Fund filed a lawsuit against Cargill, Nestlé, and Archer Daniels Midland for child trafficking and forced labor on cocoa bean plantations in Côte d'Ivoire.

In 2006, Cargill and other major soya buyers, in response to a Greenpeace campaign, agreed not to trade in soybeans grown in newly deforested areas of the Amazon. This initiative, known as the 'soya moratorium,' led to a significant drop in Amazon deforestation and was considered a major success.

On June 1, 2007, CEO Staley was succeeded by Gregory R. Page, marking a leadership transition at Cargill.

During the quarter ending on February 29, 2008, Cargill's quarterly profits exceeded $1 billion for the first time. This significant rise was attributed to global food shortages and the expanding biofuels industry.

In March 2009, Cargill Australia faced a temporary suspension of its meat export license to Japan and the US by AQIS after E. coli was detected in export containers. The suspension was lifted in late April 2009 after corrective measures were taken.

At the 8th Annual Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil meeting in 2010, smallholders at Cargill’s palm plantation, PT Hindoli, become the first to be certified under the RSPO’s Smallholder Principles & Criteria.

In August 2011, Cargill and USDA recalled 36 million pounds of ground turkey produced at Cargill's Arkansas plant due to salmonella fears. The recall was prompted by antibiotic-resistant salmonella contamination, resulting in one death and multiple illnesses across 26 states.

In September 2011, Cargill issued a second immediate recall of 185,000 pounds of fresh-ground turkey products from its Arkansas facility due to possible Salmonella Heidelberg contamination. The recall aimed to prevent potential health risks to consumers.

In October 2011, a biotech specialist at Cargill pleaded guilty to stealing information from Cargill and Dow AgroSciences, leading to a case of industrial espionage.

In November 2011, Cargill completed the acquisition of Provimi, a global animal nutrition company, expanding its presence in the animal feed industry.

On April 1, 2012, Cargill completed the purchase of a cat and dog food plant in Emporia, Kansas, previously owned by American Nutrition, diversifying its product portfolio.

In December 2013, CEO and chairman Page was succeeded by current CEO Dave MacLennan, marking another leadership change at Cargill.

In December 2014, Cargill finished commissioning a $100 million Indonesian cocoa plant, expanding its operations in the cocoa industry.

In August 2015, a bulk tanker loaded up at Cargill's soybean terminal in Santarem, Brazil. This event showcases Cargill's significant presence in the global food industry.

As of 2016, Cargill operates in 70 countries across six regions worldwide. The company has a significant global presence with operations in various countries.

In 2017, a report revealed that cocoa purchased by Cargill had been grown in illegally deforested protected areas in Ivory Coast. Despite Cargill's pledge to end sourcing from national parks and restore forests, deforestation continued in many places.

In February 2018, Cargill acquired Pro Pet, a pet food manufacturing company with three facilities in Minnesota, Kansas, and Ohio.

In January 2019, Cargill announced a significant $200 million investment to enhance its business operations in Pakistan. This investment aimed to support the company's growth in the region.

Cargill's operations in the Amazon state of Pará, including the construction of a large port on the Tapajós River for shipping soya, have raised concerns over local land disputes and pressure on indigenous territories.

On April 8, 2020, Cargill shut down its Hazleton meatpacking plant due to COVID-19 cases among employees. The county had a high number of confirmed cases.

Cargill temporarily closed its High River plant in Alberta in April 2020 after being linked to numerous COVID-19 cases. The plant accounted for a significant portion of Canada's beef production.

On May 10, 2020, Cargill's plant in Chambly was not shut down by Quebec's public health authority despite COVID-19 cases among employees. The company closed the plant voluntarily.

By May 11, 2020, the Cargill plant in Alberta had become the largest single-site COVID-19 outbreak in North America with about 1,000 reported cases. There were concerns about worker safety and management actions.

On June 3, 2020, Cargill announced that it would no longer publish quarterly results, ending a practice that had been in place since 1996. This decision was made amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cargill, America's second biggest private company, has deeply influenced global agribusiness by being involved in various aspects of food production and consumption. The company's controversial practices, including links to deforestation and other scandals, have raised concerns.

In 2021, Cargill reported net profit earnings of just below $5 billion. This financial success demonstrates the company's strong performance in the market.

Cargill reported gross revenues of $165 billion in 2022, solidifying its position as the largest privately held company in the United States in terms of revenue.

Cargill becomes the first global edible oils supplier to adhere to the World Health Organization's recommended standard on industrially produced trans-fatty acids.