Revenue Recognition - Cumulative Effect - Consolidated Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Revenue - cumulative effect
Receivables, net	$ 521	$ 482
Inventories	874	780
Other current assets	128	174
Deferred revenue	56
Other current liabilities	283	250
Total Seaboard stockholders' equity	3,403	$ 3,397
Balances Without Adoption of Topic 606
Revenue - cumulative effect
Receivables, net	501
Inventories	916
Other current assets	127
Deferred revenue	79
Other current liabilities	282
Total Seaboard stockholders' equity	3,402
ASU 2014-09 | Adjustments
Revenue - cumulative effect
Receivables, net	20
Inventories	(42)
Other current assets	1
Deferred revenue	(23)
Other current liabilities	1
Total Seaboard stockholders' equity	$ 1