Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2021	Mar. 28, 2020
Net sales:
Total net sales	$ 2,059	$ 1,683
Cost of sales and operating expenses:
Total cost of sales and operating expenses	1,881	1,548
Gross income	178	135
Selling, general and administrative expenses	86	72
Operating income	92	63
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	10	(5)
Interest income	5	7
Income (loss) from affiliates	6	(4)
Other investment income (loss), net	71	(225)
Foreign currency gains (losses), net	9	(11)
Miscellaneous, net	6	1
Total other income (loss), net	107	(237)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes	199	(174)
Income tax benefit (expense)	(20)	71
Net earnings (loss)	179	(103)
Less: Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Seaboard	$ 179	$ (103)
Earnings (loss) per common share	$ 154.03	$ (88.73)
Average number of shares outstanding (in shares)	1,160,779	1,163,888
Other comprehensive income, net of income tax expense of $1 and $0:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	$ 15	$ 3
Unrecognized pension cost	1	2
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	16	5
Comprehensive income (loss)	195	(98)
Less: Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Seaboard	195	(98)
Products
Net sales:
Total net sales	1,731	1,382
Cost of sales and operating expenses:
Total cost of sales and operating expenses	1,606	1,278
Services
Net sales:
Total net sales	313	283
Cost of sales and operating expenses:
Total cost of sales and operating expenses	261	256
Other
Net sales:
Total net sales	15	18
Cost of sales and operating expenses:
Total cost of sales and operating expenses	$ 14	$ 14