Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2013
Net sales:
Products (includes sales to affiliates of $195,986 and $182,535)	$ 1,213,755	$ 1,263,273
Service revenues	212,033	246,012
Other	53,848	73,011
Total net sales	1,479,636	1,582,296
Cost of sales and operating expenses:
Products	1,105,583	1,171,702
Services	194,507	224,995
Other	53,958	58,693
Total cost of sales and operating expenses	1,354,048	1,455,390
Gross income	125,588	126,906
Selling, general and administrative expenses	60,385	63,448
Operating income	65,203	63,458
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(4,820)	(2,392)
Interest income	7,080	4,089
Interest income from affiliates	6,356	6,155
Income (loss) from affiliates	6,644	(2,850)
Other investment income, net	573	2,186
Foreign currency losses, net	(5,693)	(1,145)
Miscellaneous, net	140	822
Total other income, net	10,280	6,865
Earnings before income taxes	75,483	70,323
Income tax expense	(27,034)	(12,566)
Net earnings	48,449	57,757
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(283)	(303)
Net earnings attributable to Seaboard	48,166	57,454
Earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 40.55	$ 47.98
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax benefit of $9,663 and $2,601:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(26,775)	(6,122)
Unrealized gain on investments	526	429
Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges	361
Unrecognized pension cost	320	1,192
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(25,568)	(4,501)
Comprehensive income	22,881	53,256
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(279)	(297)
Comprehensive income attributable to Seaboard	$ 22,602	$ 52,959
Average number of shares outstanding (in shares)	1,187,681	1,197,516