4. Revenue Recognition

The Company applies the provisions of ASC 606-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The Company recognizes revenue under the core principle to depict the transfer of products to customers in an amount reflecting the consideration the Company expects to receive. In order to achieve that core principle, the Company applies the following five-step approach: (1) identify the contract with a customer, (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (5) recognize revenue when a performance obligation is satisfied.

The Company identified customer purchase orders, which in some cases are governed by a master sales agreement, as the contracts with its customers. For each contract, the Company considers the transfer of products, each of which is distinct, to be the identified performance obligation. In determining the transaction price for the performance obligation, the Company evaluates whether the price is subject to adjustment to determine the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled. The pricing model can be fixed or variable within the contract. The variable pricing model is based on historical commodity pricing and is determinable prior to completion of the performance obligation. Additionally, the Company has certain sales adjustments for volume incentive discounts and other discount arrangements that reduce the transaction price. The reduction of transaction price is estimated using the expected value method based on an analysis of historical volume incentives or discounts, over a period of time considered adequate to account for current pricing and business trends. Historically, actual volume incentives and discounts relative to those estimated and included when determining the transaction price have not materially differed. Volume incentives and discounts are accrued at the satisfaction of the performance obligation and accounted for in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. These amounts are not significant as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017. The product price as specified in the contract, net of any discounts, is considered the standalone selling price as it is an observable input which depicts the price as if sold to a similar customer in similar circumstances. Payment is received shortly after the performance obligation is satisfied, therefore, the Company has elected the practical expedient under ASC 606-10-32-18 to not assess whether a contract has a significant financing component.

Revenue is recognized when the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied and control is transferred to the customer, which occurs at a point in time, either upon delivery to an agreed upon location or to the customer. Further, in determining whether control has transferred, the Company considers if there is a present right to payment and legal title, along with risks and rewards of ownership having transferred to the customer.

Shipping and handling activities related to contracts with customers represent fulfillment costs and are presented as a reduction of net sales. Taxes assessed by governmental authorities and collected from customers are accounted for on a net basis and excluded from revenues. The Company applies a practical expedient to expense costs to obtain a contract as incurred as most contracts are one year or less. These costs are comprised primarily from the Company’s internal sales force compensation program. Under the terms of these programs these are generally earned and the costs are recognized at the time the revenue is recognized.

From time to time the Company may enter into long term contracts with its customers. Historically, the contracts entered into by the Company do not result in significant contract assets or liabilities. Any such arrangements are accounted for in other assets or accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. There were no significant contract assets or liabilities as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

The Company is principally engaged in the production and sale of starches and sweeteners for a wide range of industries, and is managed geographically on a regional basis. The Company’s operations are classified into four reportable business segments: North America, South America, Asia Pacific and Europe, Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”). The nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of the Company’s net sales are managed by the Company primarily based on its geographic segments. Each region’s product sales are unique to each region and have unique risks.


	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
(in millions)	2018		2017
Net sales to unaffiliated customers:
North America	$	874	$	881
South America		249		255
Asia Pacific		194		179
EMEA		152		138
Total	$	1,469	$	1,453

Additionally, the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of the Company’s net sales are managed based on its global customer mix. The Company sells to customers in a broad range of industries and evaluates the economic factors impacting its net sales through consideration of the industries into which its products are sold. Four distinct industries it focuses on are food, beverage, brewing (collectively, food & beverage ingredients) and animal nutrition. The following table, which is gathered using customer industry classifications, disaggregates the Company’s net sales by industry served:


	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
(in millions)	2018		2017
Food	$	792	$	764
Beverage		167		162
Brewing		103		112
Food and Beverage Ingredients		1,062		1,038

Animal Nutrition		150		149
Other		257		266
Total Net sales	$	1,469	$	1,453