Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2015	Mar. 29, 2014
Net sales:
Products (includes sales to affiliates of $211,706 and $195,986)	$ 1,176,927	$ 1,213,755
Service revenues	249,109	212,033
Other	26,322	53,848
Total net sales	1,452,358	1,479,636
Cost of sales and operating expenses:
Products	1,118,663	1,105,583
Services	219,018	194,507
Other	21,513	53,958
Total cost of sales and operating expenses	1,359,194	1,354,048
Gross income	93,164	125,588
Selling, general and administrative expenses	65,325	60,385
Operating income	27,839	65,203
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(4,530)	(4,820)
Interest income	3,329	7,080
Interest income from affiliates	7,060	6,356
Income from affiliates	11,227	6,644
Other investment income, net	6,548	573
Foreign currency gains (losses), net	1,412	(5,693)
Miscellaneous, net	(4,427)	140
Total other income, net	20,619	10,280
Earnings before income taxes	48,458	75,483
Income tax expense	(14,882)	(27,034)
Net earnings	33,576	48,449
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(226)	(283)
Net earnings attributable to Seaboard	33,350	48,166
Earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 28.49	$ 40.55
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax benefit of $142 and $9,663):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(5,958)	(26,775)
Unrealized gain on investments	677	526
Unrealized gain on cash flow hedges		361
Unrecognized pension cost	1,282	320
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(3,999)	(25,568)
Comprehensive income	29,577	22,881
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(303)	(279)
Comprehensive income attributable to Seaboard	$ 29,274	$ 22,602
Average number of shares outstanding (in shares)	1,170,550	1,187,681