Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Schedule of Other Intangible Assets) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	$ 4,631		$ 4,621
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(1,929)		(1,805)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	2,702		2,816
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	2,273		2,280
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	2,273		2,280
Total Intangible Assets, Gross	6,904		6,901
Total Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(1,929)		(1,805)
Intangible Assets Net Excluding Goodwill	4,975		5,096
In Process Research and Development [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	45		43
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	45		43
Microbial Cell Factories [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	306	[1]	306	[1]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	306	[1]	306	[1]
Pioneer Germplasm [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	1,047	[2]	1,050	[2]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	1,047	[2]	1,050	[2]
Trademarks/Tradenames [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	875		881
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	875		881
Customer Lists [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	1,811		1,818
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(416)		(393)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	1,395		1,425
Patents [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	518		519
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(172)		(160)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	346		359
Purchased and Licensed Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	2,015		1,999
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(1,214)		(1,129)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	801		870
Trademarks [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	43		43
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(18)		(17)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	25		26
Other [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	244	[3]	242	[3]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(109)	[3]	(106)	[3]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 135	[3]	$ 136	[3]

[1] Microbial cell factories, derived from natural microbes, are used to sustainably produce enzymes, peptides and chemicals using natural metabolic processes. The company recognized the microbial cell factories as an intangible asset upon the acquisition of Danisco. This intangible asset is expected to contribute to cash flows beyond the foreseeable future and there are no legal, regulatory, contractual, or other factors which limit its useful life.

[2] Pioneer germplasm is the pool of genetic source material and body of knowledge gained from the development and delivery stage of plant breeding. The company recognized germplasm as an intangible asset upon the acquisition of Pioneer. This intangible asset is expected to contribute to cash flows beyond the foreseeable future and there are no legal, regulatory, contractual, or other factors which limit its useful life.

[3] Primarily consists of sales and grower networks, marketing and manufacturing alliances and noncompetition agreements.