Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Net sales:
Products (includes sales to affiliates of $182,535 and $168,348)	$ 1,263,273	$ 1,190,822
Service revenues	246,012	244,755
Other	73,011	35,536
Total net sales	1,582,296	1,471,113
Cost of sales and operating expenses:
Products	1,171,702	1,067,965
Services	224,995	220,517
Other	58,693	28,037
Total cost of sales and operating expenses	1,455,390	1,316,519
Gross income	126,906	154,594
Selling, general and administrative expenses	63,448	61,238
Operating income	63,458	93,356
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(2,392)	(1,707)
Interest income	4,089	2,119
Interest income from affiliates	6,155	5,217
Income (loss) from affiliates	(2,850)	9,569
Other investment income, net	2,186	3,459
Foreign currency gains (losses), net	(1,145)	3,264
Miscellaneous, net	822	1,349
Total other income, net	6,865	23,270
Earnings before income taxes	70,323	116,626
Income tax expense	(12,566)	(34,626)
Net earnings	57,757	82,000
Less: Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(303)	209
Net earnings attributable to Seaboard	57,454	82,209
Earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 47.98	$ 68.00
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax benefit of $2,601 and $813:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(6,122)	460
Unrealized gain on investments	429	1,484
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges		(91)
Unrecognized pension cost	1,192	1,077
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(4,501)	2,930
Comprehensive income	53,256	84,930
Less: Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(297)	153
Comprehensive income attributable to Seaboard	$ 52,959	$ 85,083
Average number of shares outstanding (in shares)	1,197,516	1,208,905