Document And Entity Information (USD $) In Billions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Registrant Name	ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000007084
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--06-30
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		658,614,509
Entity Public Float			$ 18.5
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes