Low grain prices hammer Cargill's earnings

Cargill's earnings fell 15 percent to about $1.6 billion in the fiscal year that ended last May.

The company's grain trading division, along with farmers, struggled with low prices caused by a global oversupply of grain. The grain business fueled a $19 million loss in the company's fourth quarter. That's still an improvement from last year's $51 million fourth quarter loss.

Cargill's ingredients and supplies for food manufacturers were among the strongest segments, with sales of items like edible oils, starches and sweeteners up substantially.

The company spent over $3 billion last year on acquisitions and to expand current operations. Lisa Clemens, the company's senior director of investor relation says the spending push was an effort to address consumers' changing demands.

"Consumers want to know, where did their food come from, how were animals treated, where were crops raised," said Clemens. "And so we're doing a lot of work around our own supply chains. As well as working with our food-making customers to help them respond to consumers' shifting preferences."

The company says the changes are already paying off, citing improvements in the sales of food ingredients.

The Minnetonka-based based company has about 150,000 employees in 70 nations.