ADM Reports 30 Percent Increase in Second-Quarter EPS

Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE:ADM) today reported second-quarter
net earnings of $ 732 million and record quarterly segment operating
profit of $ 1.4 billion for the quarter ended December 31, 2010, up $
165 million and $ 392 million, respectively, from the same period one
year earlier.

• 
  ADM earned $ 1.14 diluted EPS, a 30 percent increase versus last
  year′s $ 0.88 second quarter.
  
• 
  Segment operating profit of $ 1.4 billion was a record, up 40 percent
  from the same period in the prior year.
  
• 
  Oilseeds Processing profit declined $ 27 million as improved results
  from operations were more than offset by mark-to-market timing effects.
  
• 
  Corn Processing profit increased $ 109 million on favorable corn
  ownership, increased ADM ethanol production and strong export
  sweetener demand.
  
• 
  Agricultural Services results increased $ 276 million as ADM was well
  positioned to meet strong global grain demand and shipped record
  volumes through its U.S. origination and export network.
  

'The ADM team delivered outstanding performance across the board,
resulting in record operating profit. Amid strong demand and regional
dislocations, we used our vast global network to deliver for our
customers and shareholders,? said Patricia Woertz, ADM chairman and CEO.
'Looking ahead, global markets remain dynamic. In this environment, we
use ADM′s exceptional capabilities, our unique global asset base and the
insights of our team to drive value and to serve vital needs.?

A summary of segment operating profit and net earnings follows:

Discussion of Operations

Net earnings for the second quarter of $ 732 million increased $ 165
million due to a $ 392 million increase in segment operating profit.
This increase was partially offset by changes in LIFO inventory
valuations, included in corporate, caused by higher agricultural
commodity prices. Earnings before income taxes include a LIFO charge of
$ 254 million this quarter, or $ 0.25 per share, compared to a LIFO
charge of $ 54 million last year, or $ 0.05 per share. The company′s
effective income tax rate for the quarter was 27 percent, comparable to
the prior year′s second quarter rate of 28 percent.

Oilseeds Processing

Oilseeds operating profit in the second quarter declined $ 27 million to
$ 325 million.

Crushing and origination operating profit increased $ 7 million to $ 200
million for the quarter. Globally, ADM′s crushing volumes were
essentially flat compared to the year-ago quarter. ADM′s acquisition of
the controlling interest in Golden Peanut, and the resulting
revaluation, generated a pretax gain of $ 71 million. South American
results strengthened on improved fertilizer and grain origination
income. European results were lower due to mark-to-market timing effects
related to substantial increases in commodity prices, effects that were
partially offset by improved margins, including the impact of favorable
softseed positioning.

Refining, packaging, biodiesel and other generated a profit of $ 78
million for the quarter, similar to prior year results.

Oilseeds results in Asia declined $ 36 million to $ 47 million for the
quarter, reflecting ADM′s share of the weaker results from its equity
investee, Wilmar International Limited.

Corn Processing

For the quarter, corn processing operating profit increased $ 109
million to a profit of $ 399 million, enhanced by favorable corn
ownership positions. Corn processing volumes were up 24 percent,
reflecting the ramp-up of the company′s two new dry mills.

Sweeteners and starches operating profit decreased $ 52 million from the
prior year to $ 119 million, due to lower average selling prices and
higher net corn costs. Sales volumes were up due to improved export
sweetener shipments and stronger U.S. demand for industrial starches.

Bioproducts profit in the quarter rose $ 161 million to $ 280 million,
driven by improved ethanol margins and volumes, and by stronger lysine
margins.

Agricultural Services

Agricultural Services operating profit increased $ 276 million to $ 426
million for the second quarter.

Merchandising and handling profit increased $ 273 million to $ 376
million on strong results from global merchandising operations and on
record ADM export volumes from the United States.

Earnings from transportation operations improved on higher barge-freight
rates and volumes.

Other

In the second quarter, profits from ADM′s Other business units increased
$ 34 million to $ 212 million.

In Other processing, profits in wheat milling and cocoa operations were
similar to last year′s strong results.

Other financial results increased $ 33 million mainly due to reduced
provisions in the company′s captive insurance subsidiary.

Corporate Results

Corporate results decreased $ 178 million principally due to a $ 200
million change in LIFO reserves, higher expense for the elimination of
minority interests, and higher corporate interest. Partially offsetting
these items were $ 55 million of unrealized gains on interest rate swaps.

Current Market Conditions

Global supplies of corn, soybeans, canola and rapeseed remain dynamic.
The global supply of wheat is ample, though there are some regional
dislocations and quality issues. South American farmers have begun
harvesting their crops. In North America, farmers are considering
planting decisions.

Globally, demand for crops and processed products remains strong. Global
demand for protein meal is being led by good demand from Asia. The
one-year extensions of the blenders′ credits and the U.S. EPA′s recent
decisions on enhanced ethanol blending are supportive of biofuels. U.S.
corn-based ethanol remains the most competitive ethanol in the global
market. Mexican demand for corn sweetener continues to be strong.

Conference Call Information

ADM will host a conference call and audio webcast at 8:30 a.m. Central
Time on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011, to discuss financial results and provide
a company update. A financial summary slide presentation will be
available to download approximately 60 minutes prior to the call. To
listen to the call online or to download the slide presentation, go to www.adm.com/webcast.
To listen by telephone, dial 866-362-4829 or 617-597-5346; the access
code is 66596395. Replay of the call will be available from 12:30 p.m.
Central Time on Feb. 1 to Feb. 8, 2011. To listen to the replay by
telephone, dial 888-286-8010 or 617-801-6888; the access code is
18889828. To listen to the replay online, visit www.adm.com/webcast.

About ADM

Every day, the 29,000 people of Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE:
ADM) turn crops into renewable products that meet the demands of a
growing world. At more than 240 processing plants, we convert corn,
oilseeds, wheat and cocoa into products for food, animal feed, chemical
and energy uses. We operate the world′s premier crop origination and
transportation network, connecting crops and markets in more than 60
countries. Our global headquarters is in Decatur, Illinois, and our net
sales for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, were $62 billion. For
more information about our company and our products, visit www.adm.com.

Archer Daniels Midland Company

Media:

David Weintraub,
217-424-5413

Director, External Communications

or

Investors:

Dwight
Grimestad, 217-424-4586

Vice President, Investor Relations