DECATUR, Ill. — Archer Daniels Midland already makes sweeteners, fibers, emulsifiers and an array of other ingredients used in packaged foods and drinks. Now it’s getting in the business of natural flavors.

The agribusiness giant, based in Decatur, Illinois, said Monday it will acquire the privately held Swiss company Wild Flavors in an all-cash deal that will total $3.13 billion counting debt. Founded in 1931, Wild Flavors makes natural flavors and “flavor systems” that help give products their distinct tastes.

Natural and artificial flavors are listed as ingredients in a wide variety of packaged foods and drinks around the world. Such flavors help make Coke taste like Coke and Cheetos taste like Cheetos. But companies typically don’t disclose what exactly goes into making those flavors, which are considered trade secrets.

“Many times, they sign a two-way confidentiality agreement,” said Mark Matlock, senior vice president of food research at Archer Daniels Midland.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the term “natural flavor” can be used for oils and other extracts from spices, fruits, vegetables, herbs, meats and other foods.

Although the flavor industry generally doesn’t get much attention, it generates billions of dollars in sales a year. International Flavors & Fragrances, one of the biggest players in the market, for instance, pulled in nearly $3 billion in sales last year. Other major players include Givaudan, Firmenich and Symrise.

Wild Flavors’ estimated revenue for this year is about $1.36 billion, or 1 billion euros. About 60 percent of its business comes from Europe, ADM said, and 27 percent comes from North America.

Archer Daniels Midland Co. said its acquisition of Wild Flavors will let it enter one of the “largest and fastest-growing consumer trends in both developed and emerging markets.” The company said demand for natural flavors has been growing at a faster rate than demand for artificial flavors.