Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2012
Net sales:
Products (includes sales to affiliates of $183,968, $180,968, $531,051 and $544,152)	$ 1,352,158	$ 1,149,648	$ 3,986,573	$ 3,535,461
Service revenues	221,619	253,085	705,579	746,194
Other	74,328	76,683	222,288	179,467
Total net sales	1,648,105	1,479,416	4,914,440	4,461,122
Cost of sales and operating expenses:
Products	1,276,966	1,061,215	3,742,792	3,238,178
Services	211,914	216,232	653,006	663,156
Other	58,272	57,506	175,373	140,165
Total cost of sales and operating expenses	1,547,152	1,334,953	4,571,171	4,041,499
Gross income	100,953	144,463	343,269	419,623
Selling, general and administrative expenses	67,183	59,406	192,492	180,487
Operating income	33,770	85,057	150,777	239,136
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(2,568)	(3,888)	(7,330)	(8,826)
Interest income	2,171	3,180	10,529	8,343
Interest income from affiliates	5,476	4,759	17,001	15,009
Income (loss) from affiliates	(4,989)	2,318	(12,386)	21,703
Other investment income, net	3,020	3,830	3,274	6,320
Foreign currency gains (losses), net	(180)	165	(1,460)	(420)
Miscellaneous, net	59	(919)	4,751	(3,575)
Total other income, net	2,989	9,445	14,379	38,554
Earnings before income taxes	36,759	94,502	165,156	277,690
Income tax expense	(5,394)	(19,869)	(36,008)	(71,365)
Net earnings	31,365	74,633	129,148	206,325
Less: Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(396)	(211)	(1,178)	403
Net earnings attributable to Seaboard	30,969	74,422	127,970	206,728
Earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 25.99	$ 61.92	$ 107.09	$ 171.52
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax benefit of $4,012, $1, $9,552 and $2,566:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(14,067)	(6,023)	(26,888)	(9,164)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	227	1,604	(1,481)	2,775
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges				(91)
Unrecognized pension cost	1,192	1,135	4,929	4,455
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(12,648)	(3,284)	(23,440)	(2,025)
Comprehensive income	18,717	71,349	105,708	204,300
Less: Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(398)	(220)	(1,217)	355
Comprehensive income attributable to Seaboard	$ 18,319	$ 71,129	$ 104,491	$ 204,655
Average number of shares outstanding (in shares)	1,191,744	1,201,974	1,195,006	1,205,239