A Cargill sign is seen during the China International Import Expo (CIIE), at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, China November 5, 2018.
According to a statement from Cargill, the job cuts are part of a plan announced in December last year to reduce its global workforce by 5%. The company said the decision is intended to “reduce redundancy in select professional areas.” It emphasized that the layoffs are not related to any business closures or to the replacement of human labor with automation or artificial intelligence technologies.
Cargill, headquartered in Minnesota, is the largest privately held company in the United States, employing around 155,000 people globally. The 80 affected employees are based in Minnesota, including staff at the company’s Wayzata Office Center. According to a letter Cargill sent to the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development on Monday, the layoffs will begin on December 31. Those impacted will receive severance pay and outplacement assistance to help them transition to new employment opportunities.
The company’s decision follows a series of job reductions seen across multiple industries, including recent cutbacks announced by major corporations such as Amazon and Target, as well as workforce adjustments within certain government departments. While Cargill did not specify the total number of positions being eliminated globally, the move reflects a broader trend of cost control and restructuring across the agricultural and business sectors.
Cargill remains a major global player in food, agriculture, and commodities trading. Despite the current adjustments, the company continues to focus on optimizing its operations and maintaining efficiency amid changing market conditions. The ongoing review of its workforce structure is part of its long-term strategy to strengthen competitiveness and align resources with future business priorities.
Overall, Cargill’s latest workforce announcement highlights continued pressure across the agricultural sector and broader corporate landscape, as companies respond to evolving economic challenges and seek to streamline their operations for sustained growth.
