Segment Information (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jul. 02, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jul. 02, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Information
Sales to External Customers:	$ 1,510,593	$ 1,398,587	$ 2,981,706	$ 2,866,766
Operating Income (Loss):	60,723	136,965	154,079	267,241
Income (Loss) From Affiliates:	9,816	5,365	19,385	11,527
Total Assets:	3,110,167		3,110,167		3,006,728
Investment in and Advances to Affiliates:	384,071		384,071		364,840
Segment Totals
Segment Information
Operating Income (Loss):	64,945	140,984	166,805	276,359
Total Assets:	2,569,353		2,569,353		2,509,361
Pork
Segment Information
Sales to External Customers:	400,667	441,423	801,328	865,392
Operating Income (Loss):	20,846	62,494	73,719	142,089
Total Assets:	729,262		729,262		738,574
Commodity Trading and Milling
Segment Information
Sales to External Customers:	725,076	621,007	1,449,614	1,333,238
Operating Income (Loss):	11,467	15,230	37,160	38,302
Income (Loss) From Affiliates:	4,305	4,579	5,012	10,398
Total Assets:	740,034		740,034		755,903
Investment in and Advances to Affiliates:	165,280		165,280		160,402
Marine
Segment Information
Sales to External Customers:	236,062	236,501	469,811	466,221
Operating Income (Loss):	1,081	(11,054)	1,572	(4,032)
Total Assets:	261,322		261,322		261,781
Sugar
Segment Information
Sales to External Customers:	77,633	72,594	151,252	139,597
Operating Income (Loss):	20,734	21,586	37,711	44,025
Income (Loss) From Affiliates:	(61)	(99)	(62)	218
Total Assets:	252,857		252,857		269,564
Investment in and Advances to Affiliates:	2,980		2,980		3,177
Power
Segment Information
Sales to External Customers:	67,248	24,670	102,784	57,015
Operating Income (Loss):	10,654	53,057	16,474	56,606
Total Assets:	247,437		247,437		165,118
Turkey
Segment Information
Income (Loss) From Affiliates:	5,572	885	14,435	911
Total Assets:	331,907		331,907		312,164
Investment in and Advances to Affiliates:	215,811		215,811		201,261
All Other
Segment Information
Sales to External Customers:	3,907	2,392	6,917	5,303
Operating Income (Loss):	163	(329)	169	(631)
Total Assets:	6,534		6,534		6,257
Corporate
Segment Information
Operating Income (Loss):	(4,222)	(4,019)	(12,726)	(9,118)
Total Assets:	$ 540,814		$ 540,814		$ 497,367