Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013	Sep. 27, 2014	Sep. 28, 2013
Net sales:
Products (includes sales to affiliates of $205,644, $183,968, $580,661 and $531,051)	$ 1,350,329	$ 1,352,158	$ 3,981,200	$ 3,986,573
Service revenues	218,988	221,619	655,148	705,579
Other	53,324	74,328	160,520	222,288
Total net sales	1,622,641	1,648,105	4,796,868	4,914,440
Cost of sales and operating expenses:
Products	1,228,624	1,276,966	3,583,456	3,742,792
Services	198,276	211,914	595,265	653,006
Other	34,798	58,272	134,189	175,373
Total cost of sales and operating expenses	1,461,698	1,547,152	4,312,910	4,571,171
Gross income	160,943	100,953	483,958	343,269
Selling, general and administrative expenses	64,857	67,183	188,330	192,492
Operating income	96,086	33,770	295,628	150,777
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(8,408)	(2,568)	(17,084)	(7,330)
Interest income	2,344	2,171	11,148	10,529
Interest income from affiliates	6,775	5,476	20,011	17,001
Income (loss) from affiliates	9,492	(4,989)	23,939	(12,386)
Other investment income (loss), net	(2,990)	3,020	370	3,274
Foreign currency losses, net	(530)	(180)	(9,217)	(1,460)
Gain on sale of controlling interest in a subsidiary	64,392		64,392
Miscellaneous, net	655	59	(1,598)	4,751
Total other income, net	71,730	2,989	91,961	14,379
Earnings before income taxes	167,816	36,759	387,589	165,156
Income tax expense	(63,536)	(5,394)	(140,421)	(36,008)
Net earnings	104,280	31,365	247,168	129,148
Less: Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	469	(396)	(576)	(1,178)
Net earnings attributable to Seaboard	104,749	30,969	246,592	127,970
Earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 89.49	$ 25.99	$ 208.76	$ 107.09
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax benefit of $1,506, $4,012, $11,894 and $9,552:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(3,120)	(14,067)	(32,685)	(26,888)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments	(105)	227	919	(1,481)
Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges	149		235
Unrecognized pension cost	320	1,192	960	4,929
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(2,756)	(12,648)	(30,571)	(23,440)
Comprehensive income	101,524	18,717	216,597	105,708
Less: Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	476	(398)	(568)	(1,217)
Comprehensive income attributable to Seaboard	$ 102,000	$ 18,319	$ 216,029	$ 104,491
Average number of shares outstanding (in shares)	1,170,550	1,191,744	1,181,217	1,195,006