Stockholders' Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2012 ARS	Dec. 31, 2011 USD ($)
Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of related taxes
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment	$ (93,209,000)		$ (93,669,000)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	1,173,000		(311,000)
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges	(91,000)
Unrecognized pension cost	(61,008,000)		(62,085,000)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(153,135,000)		(156,065,000)
Components of changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of related taxes
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment	460,000
Unrealized gain on investments	1,484,000
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges	(91,000)
Unrecognized pension cost	1,077,000
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	2,930,000
Net assets of Sugar segment denominated in U.S. dollars	4,809,000
Net assets of Sugar segment denominated in Argentine pesos		215,045,000
Income tax rate for foreign currency translation gains and losses (as a percent)	35.00%
Effective income tax rate for components of accumulated other comprehensive loss (as a percent)	39.00%
Unrecognized pension cost related to employees at certain subsidiaries	20,293,000
Stock repurchase programs, authorized amount	100,000,000
Remaining authorized repurchase amount under November 2009 share repurchase program	53,699,000
Common shares repurchased	3,250
Repurchase of common stock	$ 6,335,000