Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2013	Jun. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2013
Net sales:
Products (includes sales to affiliates of $179,031, $164,548, $375,017 and $347,083)	$ 1,417,116	$ 1,371,142	$ 2,630,871	$ 2,634,415
Service revenues	224,127	237,948	436,160	483,960
Other	53,348	74,949	107,196	147,960
Total net sales	1,694,591	1,684,039	3,174,227	3,266,335
Cost of sales and operating expenses:
Products	1,249,249	1,294,124	2,354,832	2,465,826
Services	202,482	216,097	396,989	441,092
Other	45,433	58,408	99,391	117,101
Total cost of sales and operating expenses	1,497,164	1,568,629	2,851,212	3,024,019
Gross income	197,427	115,410	323,015	242,316
Selling, general and administrative expenses	63,088	61,861	123,473	125,309
Operating income	134,339	53,549	199,542	117,007
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(3,856)	(2,370)	(8,676)	(4,762)
Interest income	1,724	4,269	8,804	8,358
Interest income from affiliates	6,880	5,370	13,236	11,525
Income (loss) from affiliates	7,803	(4,547)	14,447	(7,397)
Other investment income (loss), net	2,787	(1,932)	3,360	254
Foreign currency losses, net	(2,994)	(135)	(8,687)	(1,280)
Miscellaneous, net	(2,393)	3,870	(2,253)	4,692
Total other income, net	9,951	4,525	20,231	11,390
Earnings before income taxes	144,290	58,074	219,773	128,397
Income tax expense	(49,851)	(18,048)	(76,885)	(30,614)
Net earnings	94,439	40,026	142,888	97,783
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(762)	(479)	(1,045)	(782)
Net earnings attributable to Seaboard	93,677	39,547	141,843	97,001
Earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 79.01	$ 33.07	$ 119.53	$ 81.06
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax benefit of $725, $2,939, $10,388 and $5,540:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(2,790)	(6,699)	(29,565)	(12,821)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	498	(2,137)	1,024	(1,708)
Unrealized gain (loss) on cash flow hedges	(275)		86
Unrecognized pension cost	320	2,545	640	3,737
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(2,247)	(6,291)	(27,815)	(10,792)
Comprehensive income	92,192	33,735	115,073	86,991
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(765)	(522)	(1,044)	(819)
Comprehensive income attributable to Seaboard	$ 91,427	$ 33,213	$ 114,029	$ 86,172
Average number of shares outstanding (in shares)	1,185,633	1,195,815	1,186,640	1,196,656