Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 02, 2010	Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 02, 2010
Net sales:
Products (includes sales to affiliates of $256,703, $120,670, $608,778 and $363,891)	$ 1,213,346	$ 849,049	$ 3,539,542	$ 2,403,174
Services	234,758	231,029	718,313	681,659
Other	28,614	31,735	85,629	95,719
Total net sales	1,476,718	1,111,813	4,343,484	3,180,552
Cost of sales and operating expenses:
Products	1,114,479	795,722	3,167,568	2,160,084
Services	222,339	196,379	663,831	584,637
Gain on sale of power generating facilities	(1,500)		(52,923)
Other	24,935	25,738	73,013	78,776
Total cost of sales and operating expenses	1,360,253	1,017,839	3,851,489	2,823,497
Gross income	116,465	93,974	491,995	357,055
Selling, general and administrative expenses	49,476	52,332	157,765	146,700
Operating income	66,989	41,642	334,230	210,355
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(1,067)	(1,731)	(4,089)	(5,647)
Interest income	2,163	2,837	6,507	9,862
Interest income from affiliates	4,769	108	12,616	401
Income (loss) from affiliates	(2,677)	4,851	8,850	16,275
Other investment income (loss), net	(6,437)	7,819	(3,811)	8,704
Foreign currency gain (loss), net	(3,059)	5,552	4,086	2,623
Miscellaneous, net	(9,738)	(3,843)	(11,902)	(6,479)
Total other income (loss), net	(16,046)	15,593	12,257	25,739
Earnings before income taxes	50,943	57,235	346,487	236,094
Income tax expense	(15,854)	(17,752)	(81,341)	(56,591)
Net earnings	35,089	39,483	265,146	179,503
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,471	386	1,764	748
Net earnings attributable to Seaboard	$ 36,560	$ 39,869	$ 266,910	$ 180,251
Earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 30.07	$ 32.74	$ 219.52	$ 146.93
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)		$ 0.75		$ 2.25
Average number of shares outstanding (in shares)	1,215,863	1,217,828	1,215,874	1,226,780