The agribusiness giant, which operates in the areas of food, agriculture, finance and industry, recorded positive results across all four sectors, with a 55% gain on its combined nine-month earnings also being achieved.

The animal nutrition and protein division was one of the largest contributors to profits. Increasing consumer demand for beef, combined with improved processing yields and fresh sales of chicken in Europe spearheaded a strong performance for proteins against a weak comparative period.

Cargill, which employs 150,000 people, has also agreed to a number of sales which are due to be completed in the fourth quarter. Its 40% share in Allied Mills Australia, a flour milling venture, looks set to be sold to a Sydney-based private equity firm, while its petroleum trading business is set to be purchased by Australia’s Macquarie group.