Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jul. 02, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jul. 02, 2011
Net sales:
Products (includes sales to affiliates of $194,836, $189,807, $363,184 and $352,075)	$ 1,194,991	$ 1,128,574	$ 2,385,813	$ 2,326,196
Services	248,354	245,343	493,109	483,555
Other	67,248	24,670	102,784	57,015
Total net sales	1,510,593	1,398,587	2,981,706	2,866,766
Cost of sales and operating expenses:
Products	1,108,998	1,003,292	2,176,963	2,053,089
Services	226,407	235,274	446,924	441,492
Gain on sale of power generating facilities		(51,423)		(51,423)
Other	54,622	21,020	82,659	48,078
Total cost of sales and operating expenses	1,390,027	1,208,163	2,706,546	2,491,236
Gross income	120,566	190,424	275,160	375,530
Selling, general and administrative expenses	59,843	53,459	121,081	108,289
Operating income	60,723	136,965	154,079	267,241
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(3,231)	(1,506)	(4,938)	(3,022)
Interest income	3,044	2,047	5,163	4,344
Interest income from affiliates	5,033	4,014	10,250	7,847
Income from affiliates	9,816	5,365	19,385	11,527
Other investment income (loss), net	(969)	286	2,490	2,626
Foreign currency gain (loss), net	(3,849)	2,381	(585)	7,145
Miscellaneous, net	(4,005)	(2,952)	(2,656)	(2,164)
Total other income, net	5,839	9,635	29,109	28,303
Earnings before income taxes	66,562	146,600	183,188	295,544
Income tax expense	(16,870)	(33,236)	(51,496)	(65,487)
Net earnings	49,692	113,364	131,692	230,057
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	405	122	614	293
Net earnings attributable to Seaboard	50,097	113,486	132,306	230,350
Earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 41.58	$ 93.34	$ 109.63	$ 189.45
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax benefit of $1,752, $114, $2,565 and $409:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(3,601)	(998)	(3,141)	(1,591)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	(313)	704	1,171	803
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges			(91)
Unrecognized pension cost	2,243	730	3,320	1,071
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(1,671)	436	1,259	283
Comprehensive income	48,021	113,800	132,951	230,340
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	422	120	575	278
Comprehensive income attributable to Seaboard	$ 48,443	$ 113,920	$ 133,526	$ 230,618
Average number of shares outstanding (in shares)	1,204,837	1,215,879	1,206,871	1,215,879