Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Net sales:
Total net sales	$ 7,126	$ 6,840	$ 6,583
Cost of sales and operating expenses:
Total cost of sales and operating expenses	6,552	6,394	6,033
Gross income	574	446	550
Selling, general and administrative expenses	329	336	314
Operating income	245	110	236
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(19)	(36)	(44)
Interest income	22	30	14
Income (Loss) from affiliates	(18)	(41)	(44)
Other investment income (loss), net	84	225	(152)
Foreign currency gains (losses), net	(31)		4
Miscellaneous, net	3	2	(3)
Total other income (loss), net	41	180	(225)
Earnings before income taxes	286	290	11
Income tax expense	(3)	(3)	(8)
Net earnings	283	287	3
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Net earnings attributable to Seaboard	$ 283	$ 287	$ 3
Earnings per common share	$ 244.21	$ 246.62	$ 2.26
Average number of shares outstanding (in shares)	1,161,526	1,165,758	1,170,501
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax benefit (expense) of $3, $4 and $(2):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	$ (7)	$ (20)	$ (53)
Unrecognized pension cost	(23)	(10)	3
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(30)	(30)	(50)
Comprehensive income (loss)	253	257	(47)
Less: Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1)		1
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Seaboard	252	257	(46)
Products
Net sales:
Total net sales	5,993	5,610	5,334
Cost of sales and operating expenses:
Total cost of sales and operating expenses	5,580	5,316	4,963
Services
Net sales:
Total net sales	1,058	1,104	1,116
Cost of sales and operating expenses:
Total cost of sales and operating expenses	915	989	971
Other
Net sales:
Total net sales	75	126	133
Cost of sales and operating expenses:
Total cost of sales and operating expenses	$ 57	$ 89	$ 99