Segment Information (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Apr. 02, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Information
Sales to External Customers:	$ 1,471,113	$ 1,468,179
Operating Income:	93,356	130,276
Income From Affiliates:	9,569	6,162
Total Assets:	3,112,144		3,006,728
Investment in and Advances to Affiliates:	371,129		364,840
Segment Totals
Segment Information
Operating Income:	101,860	135,375
Total Assets:	2,644,260		2,509,361
Pork
Segment Information
Sales to External Customers:	400,661	423,969
Operating Income:	52,873	79,595
Total Assets:	738,476		738,574
Commodity Trading and Milling
Segment Information
Sales to External Customers:	724,538	712,231
Operating Income:	25,693	23,072
Income From Affiliates:	707	5,819
Total Assets:	855,102		755,903
Investment in and Advances to Affiliates:	157,826		160,402
Marine
Segment Information
Sales to External Customers:	233,749	229,720
Operating Income:	491	7,022
Total Assets:	266,581		261,781
Sugar
Segment Information
Sales to External Customers:	73,619	67,003
Operating Income:	16,977	22,439
Income From Affiliates:	(1)	317
Total Assets:	253,838		269,564
Investment in and Advances to Affiliates:	3,121		3,177
Power
Segment Information
Sales to External Customers:	35,536	32,345
Operating Income:	5,820	3,549
Total Assets:	200,645		165,118
Turkey
Segment Information
Income From Affiliates:	8,863	26
Total Assets:	323,338		312,164
Investment in and Advances to Affiliates:	210,182		201,261
All Other
Segment Information
Sales to External Customers:	3,010	2,911
Operating Income:	6	(302)
Total Assets:	6,280		6,257
Corporate
Segment Information
Operating Income:	(8,504)	(5,099)
Total Assets:	$ 467,884		$ 497,367