Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011
Net sales:
Products (includes sales to affiliates of $180,968, $256,703, $544,152 and $608,778)	$ 1,149,648	$ 1,213,346	$ 3,535,461	$ 3,539,542
Services	253,085	234,758	746,194	718,313
Other	76,683	28,614	179,467	85,629
Total net sales	1,479,416	1,476,718	4,461,122	4,343,484
Cost of sales and operating expenses:
Products	1,061,215	1,114,479	3,238,178	3,167,568
Services	216,232	222,339	663,156	663,831
Gain on sale of power generating facilities		(1,500)		(52,923)
Other	57,506	24,935	140,165	73,013
Total cost of sales and operating expenses	1,334,953	1,360,253	4,041,499	3,851,489
Gross income	144,463	116,465	419,623	491,995
Selling, general and administrative expenses	59,406	49,476	180,487	157,765
Operating income	85,057	66,989	239,136	334,230
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(3,888)	(1,067)	(8,826)	(4,089)
Interest income	3,180	2,163	8,343	6,507
Interest income from affiliates	4,759	4,769	15,009	12,616
Income (loss) from affiliates	2,318	(2,677)	21,703	8,850
Other investment income (loss), net	3,830	(6,437)	6,320	(3,811)
Foreign currency gain (loss), net	165	(3,059)	(420)	4,086
Miscellaneous, net	(919)	(9,738)	(3,575)	(11,902)
Total other income (expense), net	9,445	(16,046)	38,554	12,257
Earnings before income taxes	94,502	50,943	277,690	346,487
Income tax expense	(19,869)	(15,854)	(71,365)	(81,341)
Net earnings	74,633	35,089	206,325	265,146
Less: Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(211)	1,471	403	1,764
Net earnings attributable to Seaboard	74,422	36,560	206,728	266,910
Earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 61.92	$ 30.07	$ 171.52	$ 219.52
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax benefit of $1, $2,340, $2,566 and $2,749:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(6,023)	(5,082)	(9,164)	(6,673)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	1,604	(1,652)	2,775	(849)
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges			(91)
Unrecognized pension cost	1,135	906	4,455	1,977
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(3,284)	(5,828)	(2,025)	(5,545)
Comprehensive income	71,349	29,261	204,300	259,601
Less: Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(220)	1,683	355	1,961
Comprehensive income attributable to Seaboard	$ 71,129	$ 30,944	$ 204,655	$ 261,562
Average number of shares outstanding (in shares)	1,201,974	1,215,863	1,205,239	1,215,874