Amendment Flag
Current Fiscal Year End Date
Document Period End Date
Document Type
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer
Entity Voluntary Filers
Entity Current Reporting Status
Entity Filer Category
Entity Public Float
Entity Registrant Name
Entity Central Index Key
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding
Document Fiscal Year Focus
Document Fiscal Period Focus
Entity by Location [Axis]
Location [Domain]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount
Nonmonetary notional amount
Notional amounts
Derivative, Notional Amount
Investments
Investment [Line Items]
Investment [Axis]
Investment [Domain]
Investment [Table]
Investment [Table Text Block]
Summary of the amortized cost and estimated fair value of short-term investments for both available-for-sale and trading securities
Investment Geographic Region [Axis]
Investment Geographic Region [Domain]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization
Accumulated amortization customer relationships
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment
Accumulated depreciation and amortization
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired
Total cash paid, net of cash acquired
Dividends received from affiliates
Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member]
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:
Inventory Valuation Reserve [Member]
Reserve for LIFO Valuation:
Amortization of Intangible Assets
Amortization expense of amortizable intangible assets
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Asset backed debt securities
Asset Retirement Obligation [Abstract]
Asset Retirement Obligation
Asset Retirement Obligation, Accretion Expense
Accretion Expense
Liability for additional lagoons placed in service
Asset Retirement Obligation, Liabilities Incurred
Adjustment to existing lagoons
Asset Retirement Obligation, Revision of Estimate
Asset Retirement Obligation
Ending balance
Beginning balance
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Purchase Price
Consideration for majority interest acquired in commodity origination, storage and processing business in Canada
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired
Percentage ownership acquired
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Current Assets, Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash acquired
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Other Noncurrent Assets
Increase in other long-term assets
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Property, Plant and Equipment
Increase in fixed assets
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
Interest Paid, Net
Interest (net of amounts capitalized)
Increase (Decrease) in Inventories
Inventories
Increase (Decrease) in Receivables
Receivables, net of allowance
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Short-term Debt
Notes payable to banks, net
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations [Member]
Collateralized mortgage obligations
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]
Commitments and Contingencies
Common Stock, Shares Authorized
Common stock, authorized shares
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding
Common stock, outstanding shares
Common Stock, Value, Issued
Common stock of $1 par value, Authorized 1,250,000 shares; issued and outstanding 1,202,472 and 1,210,597 shares
Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Abstract]
Components of the net deferred income tax liability
Concentration Risk, Percentage
Percentage of revenues
Concentration Risk by Type [Axis]
Concentration Risk
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk [Table]
Cost of Goods Sold
Products
Inventory Write-down
Inventory write-down
Cost of Revenue [Abstract]
Cost of sales and operating expenses:
Cost of Revenue
Total cost of sales and operating expenses
Cost of Services
Services
Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Current liabilities:
Liabilities, Current
Total current liabilities
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Current
Current maturities of long-term debt
Current maturities of long-term debt
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations
Long-term debt, less current maturities
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage
Interest rate on debt instrument (as a percent)
Interest rate (as a percent)
Debt Instrument [Axis]
Debt Instrument
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable
Notes Payable and Long Term Debt
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table]
Deferred Compensation Plan Assets
Deferred compensation plan assets included in other current assets
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Deferred income taxes
Deferred Costs, Current
Deferred costs
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross
Aggregate deferred income tax assets
Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities), Net
Net deferred income tax liability
Deferred Tax Assets, Other
Other
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards
Tax credit carry-forwards
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals
Reserves/accruals
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance
Valuation allowance
Deferred Tax Liabilities
Aggregate deferred income tax liabilities
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other
Other
Deferred Revenue, Current
Deferred revenue
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized
Contribution expense
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held
Number of derivative agreements entered
Derivative Assets
Derivatives
Asset Derivatives
Derivative, by Nature [Axis]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative commodity instruments
Derivative [Table]
Maximum exposure for guarantees outstanding
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted
Equity Method Investments Disclosure [Text Block]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Axis]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments
Income from affiliates
Income from affiliates
Income (Loss) From Affiliates:
Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents, Continuing Operations
Effect of exchange rate change on cash
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations
Effective income tax rate for components of accumulated other comprehensive loss (as a percent)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate
Federal income tax rate (as a percent)
Income tax rate for foreign currency translation gains and losses (as a percent)
Carrying value after write downs in prior years
Equity Method Investments
Equity Method Investment, Difference Between Carrying Amount and Underlying Equity
Excess of carrying value of investment in affiliates over entity's share of affiliates' book value
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage
Percentage ownership
Excess of Replacement or Current Costs over Stated LIFO Value
Amount that inventories would have been higher by if the FIFO method had been used
FIFO Inventory Amount
Total inventories at lower of FIFO cost or market
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Intangibles subject to amortization:
Fixed Income Securities [Member]
Fixed Income
Foreign Currency Transaction [Abstract]
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translation
Foreign Government Debt Securities [Member]
Foreign government debt securities
Foreign
Foreign Country [Member]
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Office furniture and fixtures
Future Amortization Expense, Year Five
Future amortization expense year five
Future Amortization Expense, Year Four
Future amortization expense year four
Future Amortization Expense, Year One
Future amortization expense year one
Future Amortization Expense, Year Three
Future amortization expense year three
Future Amortization Expense, Year Two
Future amortization expense year two
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets
Gain from sale of fixed assets
Gain on sale of power generating facilities
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment
Gain on sale of assets
Geographic Concentration Risk [Member]
Individual foreign country
Gross Profit
Gross income
Guarantee of Indebtedness of Others [Member]
Debt guarantees of non-consolidated affiliates and third party
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use
Impairment charge
Fixed asset impairment charge
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Total income taxes
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations
Income Tax Holiday, Income Tax Benefits Per Share
Tax savings per diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]
Income Taxes
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued
Accrued interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions
Income Taxes Receivable
Income taxes receivable
Domestic manufacturing deduction
Income Tax Reconciliation, Deductions, Qualified Production Activities
Income Tax Reconciliation, Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential
Foreign tax differences
Income Tax Reconciliation, Other Adjustments
Other
Income Tax Reconciliation, State and Local Income Taxes
State income taxes, net of federal benefit
Income Tax Reconciliation, Tax Credits
Federal tax credits
Income Tax Reconciliation, Tax Exempt Income
Tax-exempt investment income
Income Taxes Paid, Net
Income taxes (net of refunds)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)
Intangible assets, net
Total intangible assets, net
Finite-Lived Customer Relationships, Gross
Gross carrying amount customer relationships
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net
Intangibles subject to amortization, net
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Intangibles not subject to amortization:
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)
Intangible assets not subject to amortization, other than goodwill
Interest Expense
Interest expense
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Interest rate swaps
Interest rate exchange agreements
Interest rate
Inventory, LIFO Reserve
LIFO adjustment
Inventory, Net
Inventories
Total inventories
Investments in and Advance to Affiliates, Subsidiaries, Associates, and Joint Ventures
Investments in and advances to affiliates
Investment in and Advances to Affiliates:
Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]
Investments
LIFO Inventory Amount
Total inventories at lower of LIFO cost or market
Liabilities and Equity [Abstract]
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Liabilities and Equity
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding
Notes payable to banks
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity
Maximum capacity
Maximum borrowing capacity
Line of Credit [Member]
Credit Agreement
Line-of-credit
Loss Contingencies by Nature of Contingency [Axis]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Contingencies
Loss Contingencies [Table]
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Machinery and equipment
Margin account
Margin Deposit Assets
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Noncontrolling interests
Multiemployer Plan, Period Contributions
Contribution expense for multi-employer pension fund, the United Food & Commercial Workers International Union-Industry Pension Fund, which covers certain union employees under a collective bargaining agreement
Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Axis]
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations
Net cash from operating activities
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic
Net earnings attributable to Seaboard
Nonoperating Income (Expense)
Total other income, net
Liabilities, Noncurrent
Total non-current and deferred liabilities
Notes Payable to Banks [Member]
Notes payable to bank
Notes Receivable, Related Parties, Current
Receivable from affiliate
Notes Receivable, Related Parties, Noncurrent
Notes receivable from affiliate
Notional Amount of Derivatives
Aggregate notional amount
Operating Lease Expense [Member]
Other operating lease payments
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due [Abstract]
Operating Leases
2012
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Current
2016
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years
2015
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years
2014
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years
2013
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years
Thereafter
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter
Operating Loss Carryforwards
Net operating loss carry-forwards (NOLs)
Operating Income (Loss)
Operating income
Operating Income (Loss):
Net sales
Revenues
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax benefit
Other Assets, Current
Other current assets
Dividends paid
Payments of Dividends, Common Stock
Payments of Dividends, Noncontrolling Interest
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
Notes receivable issued to affiliate
Payments for Advance to Affiliate
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]
Employee Benefits
Defined benefit pension plan
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Accumulated benefit obligation
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets
Actual return on plan assets
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Five Fiscal Years Thereafter
2017 - 2021
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid
Benefits paid
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Reconciliation of benefit obligation:
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Reconciliation of fair value of plan assets:
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Deductible contribution to the pension plan
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer
Employer contributions
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate
Discount rate used to determine obligations (as a percent)
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Abstract]
Expected future net benefit payments
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year One
2012
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Two
2013
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Three
2014
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Four
2015
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Five
2016
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets
Expected return on plan assets
Estimated fair value of plan assets
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan
Funded status
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost
Interest cost
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Net periodic benefit cost
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Amendments
Plan amendments
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used in Calculations [Abstract]
Weighted-average assumptions
Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost
Service cost
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Disclosures [Axis]
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
Benefit obligation at end of year
Target allocation and pension plan asset allocation
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table]
Proceeds from Collection of Advance to Affiliate
Principal payments received on long-term notes receivable from affiliate
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt
Net proceeds from disputed sale
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses
Proceeds from Sale of Productive Assets
Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets
Proceeds from Sale of Short-term Investments
Proceeds from the sale of short-term investments
Production Related Impairments or Charges
Additional charge incurred to earnings in connection with change in business
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross
Gross property, plant and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Net property, plant and equipment
Net property, plant and equipment
Net book value of assets
Payments to Acquire Equity Method Investments
Payments to acquire equity method investment
Payments to Acquire Interest in Subsidiaries and Affiliates
Investments in and advances to affiliates, net
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment
Capital expenditures
Capital expenditures:
Payments to Acquire Short-term Investments
Purchase of short-term investments
Receivables, Net, Current
Receivables, net of allowance
Receivables, net of allowance
Repayments of Long-term Debt
Principal payments of long-term debt
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock
Repurchase of common stock
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
Retained earnings
Revenue from Related Parties
Products, sales to affiliates
Revenue, Net [Abstract]
Net sales:
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net
Products (includes sales to affiliates of $194,836, $189,807, $363,184 and $352,075)
Other Revenue, Net
Other
Sales Revenue, Services, Net
Services
Revenue, Net
Total net sales
Net sales
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block]
Schedule of combined condensed financial information of non-controlled, non-consolidated affiliates
Inventory Disclosure [Text Block]
Inventories
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]
Summary of long-term debt
Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block]
Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment Information
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]
Segment Information
Selling, General and Administrative Expense
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Short-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate
Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)
Short-term Debt, Type [Axis]
Investments
Short-term Investments [Member]
Short-term investments
Short-term Investments
Short-term investments
Total short-term investments, fair value
State
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
Stockholders' Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]
Stockholders' Equity and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Subordinated Debt [Member]
Subordinated loan
Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee, Cumulative Percentage Ownership after All Transactions
Ownership after increase (as a percent)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
Supplemental Non-Cash Transactions
Escrow Deposits Related to Property Sales
Portion of sales price remaining in escrow
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount
Tax credit carry-forwards
Assets, Current [Abstract]
Current assets:
Assets, Current
Total current assets
Trading Securities, Change in Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss)
Unrealized (losses) gain related to trading securities
Transportation Equipment [Member]
Vessels and vehicles
Municipal bonds
US States and Political Subdivisions Debt Securities [Member]
US Treasury Securities [Member]
U.S. Treasury securities
U.S. Treasury STRIPS
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Liabilities
Total liabilities
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Assets
Total assets
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reductions Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations
Lapse of statute of limitations
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decreases Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions
Decreases for uncertain tax positions of prior years
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decreases Resulting from Settlements with Taxing Authorities
Settlements
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increases Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions
Additions for uncertain tax positions of current year
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increases Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions
Additions for uncertain tax positions of prior years
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate
Unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
Balance at the beginning of the period
Balance at the end of the period
2016
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Due within Five Years
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Due within One Year
2012
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Use of Estimates
Valuation Allowance of Deferred Tax Assets [Member]
Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets:
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Balance
Balance at beginning of year
Balance at end of year
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Charged to Cost and Expense
Provision/ charged (credit) to expense
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Line Items]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Valuation Allowances and Reserves Type [Axis]
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Table]
Warrant [Member]
Detachable warrants
Weighted Average Cost Inventory Amount
Grain, flour and feed at lower of weighted average cost or market
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic
Average number of shares outstanding (in shares)
Common Stock [Member]
Common Stock
Construction in Progress [Member]
Construction in progress
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Maximum
Useful Lives, maximum (in years)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Minimum
Useful lives, minimum (in years)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life, Average
Useful Lives (in years)
Land and Land Improvements [Member]
Land and improvements
Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Buildings and improvements
Asset Retirement Obligation, Roll Forward Analysis [Roll Forward]
Changes in the asset retirement obligation
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits
Variable Rate Demand Obligation [Member]
Variable rate demand notes
Due within one year
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, within One Year, Fair Value
Total fixed rate securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Securities
Other Cost of Operating Revenue
Other
Assets
Total assets
Total Assets:
Net sales
Deferred Revenue, Revenue Recognized
Categories of Investments, Marketable Securities, Trading Securities [Member]
Trading securities
Categories of Investments, Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Available-for-sale securities
Investment Income, Interest
Interest income
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information [Abstract]
Combined condensed financial information of the non-controlled, non-consolidated affiliates
Other Liabilities, Current
Other current liabilities
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent
Other liabilities
Concentration Risk by Benchmark [Axis]
Loss due to credit risk associated with derivative contracts
Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Financial Instrument, Maximum Exposure
Income Tax Holiday, Aggregate Dollar Amount
Tax savings due to tax holiday
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current
Deferred income taxes
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent
Deferred income taxes
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table]
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Balance at period end
Fair Value
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Schedule of amortized cost and estimated fair values of investments and long term debt
Statement [Table]
Statement, Scenario [Axis]
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure
Derivatives
Liability Derivatives
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Roll Forward]
Movement in valuation and qualifying accounts
Assets [Abstract]
Assets
Statement [Line Items]
Statement
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate
Discount rate used to determine net periodic benefit cost (as a percent)
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Return on Assets
Expected return on plan assets (as a percent)
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Rate of Compensation Increase
Long-term rate of increase in compensation levels (as a percent)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Level 1
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Level 2
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Level 3
Unrecognized pension cost
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Amounts that Will be Amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) in Next Fiscal Year
Estimated net periodic benefit cost
Increase in liabilities due to capital lease
Capital Lease Obligations Incurred
Increase in fixed assets due to capital lease
Capital Leased Assets, Gross
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations
Net cash from investing activities
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations
Net cash from financing activities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net of Tax
Unrecognized pension cost
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation by Category of Item Purchased [Axis]
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Cash and cash equivalents
Earnings Per Share, Basic
Earnings per common share (in dollars per share)
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax
Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment
Common Stock, Shares, Issued
Common stock, issued shares
Other Assets, Noncurrent
Other assets
Equity Method Investment, Aggregate Cost
Purchase price
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Table]
Schedule of Equity Method Investment, Equity Method Investee, Name [Axis]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments
Goodwill
Goodwill
Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment [Table]
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)
Property, Plant and Equipment by Type [Axis]
Property, plant and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)
Miscellaneous, net
Total Seaboard stockholders' equity
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent
Total equity
Income Tax Reconciliation, Change in Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance
Change in valuation allowance
Components of Deferred Tax Assets [Abstract]
Deferred income tax assets:
Components of Deferred Tax Liabilities [Abstract]
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Property, Plant and Equipment
Depreciation
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Income tax expense
Income tax expense (benefit)
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax
Foreign currency gain (loss), net
Short-term Bank Loans and Notes Payable
Notes payable to banks
US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member]
U.S. Government agency securities
Accounts Receivable
Accounts Receivable [Member]
Loans Receivable [Member]
Term loan
Statement, Equity Components [Axis]
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Additional Capital
Retained Earnings [Member]
Retained Earnings
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Repurchase of common stock
Repurchase of common stock
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value
Common shares repurchased (in shares)
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Shares
Other Inventory, Net of Reserves
Other
Statement, Business Segments [Axis]
Statement, Geographical [Axis]
Comprehensive Income [Member]
Comprehensive Income
Commitments
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Table]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Due within Four Years
2015
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Due within Two Years
2013
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Due within Three Years
2014
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Purchases
Amount paid under the contract
Commitments and Contingencies.
Commitments and contingent liabilities
Trading Securities, Fair Value Disclosure
Fair Value
Trading securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure
Fair Value
Available-for-sale securities
Dividends, Common Stock
Dividends on common stock
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Net earnings
Net earnings
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
Less net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
Accrued Income Taxes
Income taxes payable
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and Amortization:
Comprehensive income
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Total equity
Balance
Balance
Accounts Payable, Current
Accounts payable
Accrued compensation and benefits
Employee-related Liabilities, Current
Deferred compensation plan liability included in other liabilities
Deferred Compensation Liability, Classified, Noncurrent
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information, Equity
Total equity
Inventory, LIFO Reserve, Effect on Income, Net
LIFO method increase (decrease) in earnings
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure
Total Assets
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure
Total Liabilities
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Continuing Operations
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net
Rental expense for operating leases
Available-for-sale Securities, Amortized Cost Basis
Amortized Cost
Available-for-sale securities
Payments for (Proceeds from) Long-term Investments
Purchase of long-term investments
Valuation Allowances and Reserves [Domain]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense, Current and Five Succeeding Fiscal Years [Abstract]
Current amortization expense and future amortization expense
Other Operating Activities, Cash Flow Statement
Other, net
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation
Related Party [Domain]
Proceeds from Derivative Instrument, Financing Activities
Commodity derivative option proceeds
Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis]
Fair Value by Measurement Frequency [Axis]
Schedule of Change in Asset Retirement Obligation [Table Text Block]
Schedule of changes in the asset retirement obligation
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]
Schedule of components of the net deferred income tax liability
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]
Schedule of components of total income taxes
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]
Schedule of reconciliation of computed expected tax expense excluding non-controlling interest to income tax expense (benefit) attributable to continuing operations
Schedule of Income before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign [Table Text Block]
Schedule of components of earnings before income taxes
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]
Schedule of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]
Summary of inventories
Commitments and Contingencies
Income Taxes
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net
Inventories
Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt
Employee Benefits
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]
Schedule of asset allocation targets and actual investment composition within the Plans
Schedule of assumptions used in determining pension information for plans
Schedule of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]
Schedule of net periodic cost of benefits of plans
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]
Schedule of the funded status
Schedule of Net Funded Status [Table Text Block]
Schedule of amounts not reflected in net periodic benefit cost and included in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) before taxes
Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Cost Not yet Recognized [Table Text Block]
Long-term Debt, Fair Value
Long-term debt
Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt
Debt and Capital Leases Disclosures [Text Block]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount
Letters of credit outstanding
Trading Securities, Cost
Amortized Cost
Trading securities
Asset Retirement Obligations, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Asset Retirement Obligation
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Principles of Consolidation and Investments in Affiliates
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table Text Block]
Summary of specific financial information related to sales to external customers
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translation
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Income Taxes
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Inventories
Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Short-Term Investments
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Property, Plant and Equipment
Receivables, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Accounts Receivable
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Revenue Recognition
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]
Summary of property, plant and equipment
Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated [Table Text Block]
Summary of specific financial information related to total assets
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]
Summary of specific financial information related to operating income (loss)
Summary of Income Tax Contingencies [Table Text Block]
Schedule of reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligations Disclosure [Table Text Block]
Schedule of non-cancelable purchase commitments and commitments under other agreements
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block]
Schedule of amortized cost and estimated fair values of investments and long term debt
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Earnings Per Common Share
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]
Accounting Policies and Basis of Presentation
Supplemental executive plans and retirement agreements
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Schedule of amounts in AOCI expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost in 2012
Schedule of Amounts in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) to be Recognized over Next Fiscal Year [Table Text Block]
Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain]
Concentration Risk Type [Domain]
Debt Instrument, Name [Domain]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Domain]
Derivative, Name [Domain]
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Name [Domain]
Equity Component [Domain]
Equity Method Investee, Name [Domain]
Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain]
Fair Value, Measurements, Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain]
Fair Value Plan Asset Measurement [Domain]
Income Tax Authority [Domain]
Long-term Debt, Type [Domain]
Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain]
Plan Asset Categories [Domain]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Type [Domain]
Scenario, Unspecified [Domain]
Segment [Domain]
Segment, Geographical [Domain]
Short-term Debt, Type [Domain]
Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Category of Goods or Services Acquired [Domain]
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount
Remaining authorized repurchase amount under November 2009 share repurchase program
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount
Stock repurchase programs, authorized amount
Derivatives and Fair Value [Text Block]
Derivatives and Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]
Schedule of components of and changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of related taxes
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Assets:
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Table]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and also its level within the fair value hierarchy
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract]
Liabilities:
Proceeds from Maturities, Prepayments and Calls of Short-term Investments
Proceeds from the maturity of short-term investments
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Segment Information
Schedule II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Revenue
Net sales
Total net sales
Range [Axis]
Range [Domain]
Maximum
Maximum [Member]
Minimum
Minimum [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Other Current Assets
Other current assets
Derivative Instrument Risk [Axis]
Income Tax Authority [Axis]
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]
Summary of estimated fair value of fixed rate securities designated as available-for-sale, classified by the contractual maturity date of the security
Investment Type Categorization [Domain]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Due after Five Years
Thereafter
Heating Oil [Member]
Heating oil
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Table]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates [Line Items]
Investments in and Advances to Affiliates and Notes Receivable from Affiliates
Investment Type [Axis]
Other Aggregated Investments [Member]
Other
Corporate Bond Securities [Member]
Corporate bonds
Exchange traded funds-fixed income
Exchange Traded Funds [Member]
Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Fixed income mutual funds
Fixed income mutual funds
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of each type of derivative and its location in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Foreign currency exchange agreements
Foreign currencies
Commodity Contract [Member]
Commodities
Commodity contracts
Revenues
Total sales
Sales [Member]
Cost of Sales [Member]
Cost of sales-products
Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member]
Foreign currency
Income Statement and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Location [Domain]
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Statement of Financial Performance [Table Text Block]
Schedule of gain or (loss) recognized for each type of derivative and its location in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Amount of gain or (loss) recognized for each type of derivative and its location in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Income Statement Location [Axis]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Hedging Relationship, by Income Statement Location, by Derivative Instrument Risk [Table]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
Net realized and unrealized gains on derivatives
Derivative Contract Type [Domain]
Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block]
Schedule of fair value of each type of derivative and its location in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table]
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Noncontrolling Interest
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash from operating activities:
Long-term Debt, Type [Axis]
Defined Benefit Plan by Plan Asset Categories [Axis]
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets by Measurement [Axis]
Accrued pension liability
Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Liabilities, Noncurrent
Segment, Geographical, Groups of Countries, Group One [Member]
Caribbean, Central and South America
Segment, Geographical, Groups of Countries, Group Two [Member]
Africa
Comprehensive income:
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Stockholders' equity:
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax [Abstract]
Amounts not reflected in net periodic benefit cost and included in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) before taxes
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Amounts that Will be Amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) in Next Fiscal Year [Abstract]
Amounts in AOCI expected to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost in 2012
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Gains (Losses), before Tax
Accumulated loss, net of gain
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Prior Service Cost (Credit), before Tax
Prior service cost, net of credit
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Transition Assets (Obligations), before Tax
Transitional obligation
Revenue from External Customers
Sales to External Customers:
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of related taxes
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Deferred Income Taxes, Asset (Liability), Net
Increase in deferred tax liabilities
Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract]
Changes in current assets and liabilities, net of business acquired:
Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Components of total income taxes
Current Federal Tax Expense (Benefit)
Federal
Current Foreign Tax Expense (Benefit)
Foreign
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Abstract]
Current:
Current State and Local Tax Expense (Benefit)
State and local
Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Federal
Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Foreign
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Abstract]
Deferred:
Deferred State and Local Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
State and local
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Domestic
United States
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Foreign
Foreign
Gain on disputed sale, net of expenses
Gain on disputed sale, net of expenses
Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations, Income Tax Reconciliation [Abstract]
Reconciliation of computed expected tax expense excluding non-controlling interest to income tax expense (benefit) attributable to continuing operations
Income Tax Reconciliation, Income Tax Expense (Benefit), at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate
Computed expected tax expense excluding non-controlling interest
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract]
Other income (expense):
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax benefit of $1,752, $114, $2,565 and $409:
Components of changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of related taxes
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax
Payments for (Proceeds from) Other Investing Activities
Other, net
Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities
Other, net
Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Net (Gains) Losses
Actuarial losses
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Net Gains (Losses)
Accumulated loss, net of gain
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Net Prior Service Cost (Credit)
Prior service cost, net of credit
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Net Transition Asset (Obligation)
Transition obligation
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Net Income (Loss)
Net income
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities, Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Cash flows from financing activities:
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), Unrealized
Foreign currency exchange (gain) loss
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Totals
All Other Segments [Member]
All Other
Unallocated Amount to Segment [Member]
Corporate
Schedule of Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Table]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Geographic Information
Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Recurring basis
Other Debt Obligations [Member]
Other debt securities
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Amortized Cost Basis [Abstract]
Estimated fair value of fixed rate securities designated as available-for-sale, classified by the contractual maturity date of the security
Derivatives and Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Increase (Decrease) in Current Liabilities Exclusive of Debt, Current
Current liabilities, exclusive of debt
The increase (decrease) during the reporting period in the aggregate amount of liabilities resulting from activities that generate operating income. This element specifically excludes the net change in debt.
Interest Income from Affiliates
Interest income from affiliates
Represents the interest income from affiliates earned by the entity during the reporting period.
Document and Entity Information
Other Investment Income (Expense), Net
Other investment income (loss), net
Other investment income, net
Represents the other investment income expense, net earned by the entity during the reporting period.
Deferred Revenue from Affiliates, Current
Deferred revenue from affiliates
Amount of deferred revenue from affiliates as of balance sheet date. Deferred revenue represents collections of cash or other assets related to a revenue producing activity for which revenue has not yet been recognized. Generally, an entity records deferred revenue when it receives consideration from a customer before achieving certain criteria that must be met for revenue to be recognized in conformity with GAAP.
Paid In Kind Interest Income
Pay-in-kind interest and accretion on note receivable from affiliate
Interest received other than in cash for example on a note receivable from an affiliate. As a noncash item, it is subtracted from net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method.
Non-cash, pay-in-kind interest income and accretion of discount recognized on a note receivable from an affiliate
Pay-in-kind interest income recognized on notes receivable from affiliates
Other Noncash Income (Expense) and Other Items
Other
Other income (expense) included in net income that result in no cash inflows or outflows in the period, plus other items, such as affiliate dividends that result in cash inflows or outflows in the period but are not included in Net Income. These items are necessary to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by (used in) operating activities that are not separately disclosed.
Proceeds from Sale of Power Generating Facilities
Proceeds from the sale of power generating facilities
The cash inflow from the sale of a property, plant, and equipment asset that was used in the normal conduct of business to generate power for sale.
Noncontrolling Interest Increase from Business Combination Decrease from Deconsolidation
Addition of noncontrolling interests
Represents the increase in noncontrolling interest balance because of business combination and the reduction or elimination during the period of a noncontrolling interest resulting from the parent's loss of control and deconsolidation of the entity.
Proceeds from syndication and subordinated loan fees
Proceeds from Syndication and Subordinated Loan Fees
Represents the proceeds from syndication and subordinated loan fees.
Other Available For Sale Securities [Member]
Other
Represents information pertaining to investments in available-for-sale securities which are not otherwise provided for in the existing taxonomy in the form of Domain Members or individual elements.
High Yield Trading, Debt Securities [Member]
High yield trading debt securities
Represents high yield debt securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling in the near term (thus held for only a short period of time).
Other Trading Debt Securities [Member]
Other trading debt securities
Represents other than high yield debt securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling in the near term (thus held for only a short period of time).
Available For Sale Securities, Debt Maturities after Three Years, Fair Value
Due after three years
Represents the fair value of debt securities which are expected to mature after three years from the balance sheet date and which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Operating Period
Period of plant operation (in years)
Represents the period during which the plant is in operation.
Income Tax Reconciliation [Abstract]
Adjustments to tax expense attributable to:
Income Tax Reconciliation, Change in Pension Deferred Tax
Change in pension deferred tax
The portion of difference between the total income tax expense or benefit as reported in the Income Statement for the year/accounting period and the expected income tax expense or benefit computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income from continuing operations, that is attributable to change in pension deferred tax.
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes
Total earnings excluding non-controlling interest
The portion of earnings or loss from continuing operations before income taxes excluding non-controlling interest.
Cash basis farming adjustment
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Cash Basis Farming Adjustment
The amount as of the balance sheet date of the estimated future tax effects attributable to differences between the methods used to account for farming transactions for tax purposes and under generally accepted accounting principles, which will increase future taxable income when such differences reverses.
Deferred Tax Assets, Net Operating and Capital Loss Carryforwards
The tax benefit as of the balance sheet date from the allowable deduction of operating and capital losses against future taxable income realized within the applicable carryforward periods.
Net operating and capital loss carry-forwards
Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries
Represents the undistributed earnings of international subsidiaries on which Federal income and foreign withholding taxes have not been provided.
Undistributed earnings from foreign operations
Income Tax Holiday, Number of Foreign Countries
Number of foreign countries in which the entity had a tax holiday
Represents the number of foreign countries in which entity has a tax holiday.
Lower of LIFO Cost or Market [Abstract]
At lower of LIFO cost or market:
Inventory Live Hogs and Materials before LIFO Adjustment, Net of Reserve
Live hogs and materials
Carrying amount, net of valuation reserves and adjustments, as of the balance sheet date, of live hogs and materials, before LIFO adjustment.
Inventory Fresh Pork and Materials before LIFO Adjustment, Net of Reserve
Fresh pork and materials
Carrying amount of fresh pork and materials, net of valuation reserve and adjustment and before LIFO adjustment, as of the balance sheet date.
Lower of FIFO Cost or Market [Abstract]
At lower of FIFO cost or market:
Inventory, Grains and Oilseeds, Net of Reserves
Grains and oilseeds
Carrying amount, net of valuation reserve and adjustment, as of the balance sheet date of grains and oilseeds.
Inventory, Sugar Produced and in Process, Net of Reserves
Sugar produced and in process
Carrying amount, net of valuation reserve and adjustment, as of the balance sheet date of sugar produced and in process.
Represents the increase (decrease) in net earnings per share due to the effect of LIFO inventory method.
LIFO method increase (decrease) in earnings per share (in dollars per share)
Inventory, LIFO Reserve, Effect on Income, Net, Per Share
Commodity Trading Business Inventories Committed to Foreign Customers
Grain inventories related to commodity trading business committed to foreign customers
Represents the inventories related to commodity trading business that are committed to various customers in foreign countries, for which customer contract performance is a heightened concern.
Inventory Write Down, Per Share
The per share amount of the write-down to the carrying amount of inventory, which was attributable to customer contract performance.
Inventory write-down (in dollars per share)
Schedule of Finite and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]
Schedule of intangible assets
Tabular disclosure of the carrying value of finite and indefinite-lived intangible assets, excluding goodwill, in total and by major class. A major class is composed of intangible assets that can be grouped together because they are similar, either by their nature or by their use in the operations of the company.
Schedule of Goodwill and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets by Segment [Table]
Schedule of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets in total and by segment.
Pork Segment [Member]
Pork segment
Represents the Pork segment of the entity.
Pork
Goodwill and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets by Segment [Line Items]
Goodwill and intangible assets
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards [Table]
Schedule reflecting pertinent information, such as tax authority, amounts, and expiration dates, of net operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards.
Net operating loss carry-forwards and tax credit carry-forwards
Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Credit Carryforwards Foreign Minimum Tax
Foreign minimum tax credit carry-forward
The tax benefit as of the balance sheet date from the reduction by tax credit carryforwards of future foreign income tax within applicable carryforward periods; a tax credit carryforward is the amount by which an alternative tax exceeded the normal income tax liability and can only be utilized if sufficient taxable income is generated in future periods and provided tax laws continue to allow such utilization.
Short Term Investments at Amortized cost
Total short-term investments, amortized cost
This item represents a parenthetical disclosure of the amortized cost of securities classified as short-term investments.
Accrued Self Insurance [Policy Text Block]
Disclosure of accounting policy for accrued self-insurance cost.
Accrued Self-Insurance
Deferred Grants [Policy Text Block]
Deferred Grants
Disclosure of accounting policy for deferred grants.
Schedule of Amounts Paid for Interest and Income Taxes [Table Text Block]
Schedule of amounts paid for interest and income taxes
Tabular disclosure of amount paid for interest and income taxes.
Operations and Subsidiaries [Abstract]
Operations of Seaboard Corporation and its Subsidiaries
Subsidiaries and Affiliates Reporting Period Lag Minimum
Minimum time lag for reporting financial information of certain subsidiaries and affiliates (in months)
Represents the minimum time lag for reporting financial information of subsidiaries and affiliates.
Subsidiaries and Affiliates Reporting Period Lag Maximum
Maximum time lag for reporting financial information of certain subsidiaries and affiliates (in months)
Represents the maximum time lag for reporting financial information of subsidiaries and affiliates.
Butterball LLC [Member]
Butterball, LLC
Represents the information pertaining to Butterball, LLC.
PS International [Member]
PS International
Represents the information pertaining to PS International.
Deferred Grants [Abstract]
Deferred Grants
Deferred Grants
Deferred Grants
Amount of deferred grants as of the balance sheet date. Deferred grants represent economic development funds contributed by government entities, usage of which is limited for certain activities.
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Working Capital
Increase in working capital
The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to working capital.
Number of Non Controlled Non Consolidated Affiliates Using Local Currency as Functional Currency
Number of non-controlled, non-consolidated affiliates using local currency as their functional currency
Represents number of non-controlled, non-consolidated affiliates using local currency as their functional currency.
CONGO, THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE
Democratic Republic of Congo
LESOTHO
Lesotho
KENYA
Kenya
NIGERIA
Nigeria
ZAMBIA
Zambia
COLOMBIA
Colombia
ECUADOR
Ecuador
HAITI
Haiti
AUSTRALIA
Australia
PERU
Peru
ARGENTINA
Argentina
Poultry Business [Member]
Poultry business
Represents the information pertaining to poultry business.
Bakery Business [Member]
Bakery business
Represents the information pertaining to bakery business.
Commodity Trading and Milling [Member]
Commodity Trading and Milling
Represents the Commodity Trading and Milling segment of the entity.
Sugar [Member]
Sugar
Represents the Sugar segment of the entity.
Turkey [Member]
Turkey
Represents the Turkey segment of the entity.
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage of Investee Held by Third Party
Percentage of ownership interest continued to be owned by the Maxwell Group
Represents the ownership percentage of the equity method investee held by the co-owner.
Term of Loan Receivable
Maturity period of unsecured subordinated loan provided (in years)
Represents the period after which the loan receivable of the entity will mature.
Loans Receivable, Interest Rate
Interest rate on loan provided (as a percent)
Represents the aggregate stated interest rate on the loan receivable.
Loans Receivable, Interest Rate, Payable in Cash
Percentage of interest payable in cash
Represents the stated interest rate on the loan receivable that is payable in cash.
Loans Receivable, Interest Rate, Payable in Kind
Percentage of pay-in-kind interest
Represents the stated interest rate on the loan receivable that is payable in kind.
Equity Method Investment Warrants, Additional Equity Interest that Can be Acquired
Additional equity interest that can be acquired upon exercise of warrants (as a percent)
Represents the additional equity interest in the equity method investee which can be acquired by the entity upon exercise of warrants.
Equity Method Investment, Economic Interest
Economic interest (as a percent)
Represents the percentage of economic ownership in an equity method investee, which is higher than the percentage of voting interest due to warrants held by the entity.
Percentage of Syndication Fee, Initially Recognized as Income
Percentage of net syndication fee initially recognized as income
Represents the percentage of the syndication fee income initially recognized as income by the entity, as this is the percentage of the economic interest in the equity method investee that is not controlled by the entity.
Equity Method Investment, Additional Investment
Additional investment or capital contribution
Represents an additional amount of investment made in equity method investee during the period.
Estimated Cost of Project
Estimated project cost
Represents the estimate of the total project cost.
Number of Assets Sold
Number of asset sales
Represents the number of assets sold during the period.
LIFO Inventory before LIFO Adjustment, Net of Reserve
Inventories at lower of LIFO cost or market, Gross
The amount of LIFO (last in first out) inventory, net of valuation reserve and adjustment, before LIFO adjustment.
Mexico Ham Boning and Processing Plant [Member]
Operations of the ham boning and processing plan located in Mexico.
Mexico ham boning and processing plant
Indefinite Lived Trade Names and Trademarks
Carrying amount-trade names and registered trademarks
Carrying amount (original costs adjusted for previously recognized amortization and impairment) as of the balance sheet date for the rights acquired through registration of a trade name to gain or protect exclusive use thereof for a projected indefinite period of benefit and rights acquired through registration of a trademark to gain or protect exclusive use of a business name, symbol or other device or style for a projected indefinite period of benefit.
Municipal Notes and Bonds [Member]
Short-term and long-term debt securities issued by state, city or local governments or the agencies operated by state, city or local governments.
Fixed rate municipal notes and bonds
Available For Sale Securities, Debt Maturities after One Through Three Years, Fair Value
Represents the fair value of debt securities which are expected to mature after one year and through three years from the balance sheet date and which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.
Due after one year through three years
Investments by Denomination [Axis]
Information pertaining to investments disaggregated by the currency in which the investments are denominated.
Euro Member Countries, Euro
Denominated in Euros
LIFO
The tax effect as of the balance sheet date of the difference in the cost of LIFO inventory determined under tax rules from that determined for financial reporting purposes that will be recognized in future periods when the inventory is sold.
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Inventory Costs
Deferred Tax Assets, Deferred Income, Foreign Earnings
The tax effect as of the balance sheet date of the difference in the carrying amount for tax and financial accounting purposes of non-US operations subject to current US federal income tax that will reverse in future periods as the related assets are realized and liabilities are settled.
Deferred earnings of foreign subsidiaries
Committed Line of Credit [Member]
Committed bank line
A credit facility whereby terms and conditions are clearly defined by the lending institution and imposed upon the borrowing entity.
Uncommitted Line of Credit [Member]
Uncommitted bank lines
A credit facility with no restrictions placed upon the lending institution regarding the amount of funds to be lent.
Debt Instrument Senior Notes 6.21 Percent Due 2011 Through 2012 [Member]
6.21% senior notes, due 2012
Represents information pertaining to 6.21 percent senior notes, due 2011 through 2012.
Debt Instrument Senior Notes 6.92 Percent Due 2012 [Member]
6.92% senior notes, due 2012
Represents information pertaining to 6.92 percent senior notes, due 2012.
Bonds Payable [Member]
Industrial Development Revenue Bonds, floating rates (1.27% - 2.10% at December 31, 2011) due 2014 through 2027
A debt obligation, in which the authorized issuer owes the holders a debt and is obliged to repay the principal and interest (the coupon) at a later date.
Foreign Subsidiary Obligation at Floating Rate Argentine Pesos [Member]
Foreign subsidiary obligation, floating rate
Represents the foreign subsidiary obligation with a floating interest rate that is payable in Argentine pesos.
Capital Lease Obligations and Other [Member]
Capital lease obligations and other
Represents the information pertaining to capital lease obligations and other long term debt.
Letters of Credit Outstanding Amount for Industrial Development Revenue Bonds
Letters of credit for outstanding Industrial Development Revenue Bonds
The total amount by which the borrowing capacity was reduced under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date for outstanding Industrial Development Revenue Bonds (IDRB's).
Letters of Credit Outstanding Amount Related to Insurance Coverages
Letters of credit related to insurance coverages
The total amount by which the borrowing capacity was reduced under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date related to insurance coverages.
Debt Instrument, Covenant Maximum Funded Debt as Percentage of Aggregate Capitalization
Maximum consolidated funded debt as a percentage of aggregate capitalization
Represents the maximum consolidated funded debt as a percentage of aggregate capitalization allowed per the terms of the debt covenants.
Debt Instrument, Covenant Adjusted Leverage Ratio Numerator Maximum
Numerator for adjusted leverage ratio, maximum
Represents the numerator for the maximum adjusted leverage ratio per the terms of the debt covenants.
Debt Instrument, Covenant Adjusted Leverage Ratio Denominator Maximum
Denominator for adjusted leverage ratio, maximum
Represents the denominator for the maximum adjusted leverage ratio per the terms of the debt covenants.
Debt Instrument, Covenant Minimum Net Worth Requirement Base Amount
Minimum net worth base requirement
Represents the base amount that is used in the calculation of minimum tangible net worth requirement per the terms of the debt covenants.
Debt Instrument, Covenant Percentage of Consolidated Net Income Added to Minimum Net Worth Requirement
Percentage of consolidated net income added to net worth base amount
Represents the percentage of the consolidated net income that is used in the calculation of the minimum net worth requirement per the terms of the debt covenants.
Debt Instrument, Covenant Dividend Restriction Base Amount
Base amount used to calculate maximum dividend allowed
Represents the base amount used in determining the maximum dividend to be paid per the terms of the debt covenants.
Debt Instrument, Covenant Dividend Restriction Percentage of Consolidated Net Income Added to Base Amount
Percentage of consolidated net income added to base dividend amount
Represents the percentage of consolidated net income added to the base amount of dividends per the terms of the debt covenants.
Debt Instrument, Covenant Dividend Restriction Percentage of Consolidated Net Losses Deducted from Base Amount
Percentage of consolidated net losses deducted from base dividend amount
Represents the percentage of consolidated net losses deducted from the base amount of dividends per the terms of the debt covenants.
Debt Instrument, Covenant Dividend Restriction Net Proceeds of Capital Stock Added to Base Amount
Net proceeds of capital stock added to base dividend amount
Represents the net proceeds of capital stock added to the base amount of dividends per the terms of the debt covenants.
Debt Instrument, Covenant Dividend Restriction Maximum Amount
Maximum amount of dividends
Represents the maximum amount of dividends to be paid per the terms of the debt covenants.
Debt Instrument, Covenant, Sum of Subsidiary Indebtedness and Priority Indebtedness as Percentage of Net Worth, Maximum
Sum of subsidiary indebtedness and priority indebtedness as a percentage of consolidated tangible net worth, maximum
Represents the maximum percentage of the sum of subsidiary indebtedness and priority indebtedness as a percentage of net worth allowed per the terms of the debt covenants.
Domestic Equity Securities [Member]
Domestic equity securities
Represents the domestic equity securities.
Foreign Equity Securities [Member]
Foreign equity securities
Represents the foreign equity securities.
International/foreign equity securities
Derivative Financial Instruments Liabilities Fair Value Disclosure Net of Proceeds from Derivatives
Derivatives net liability
Represents the fair value of derivative liabilities net of any proceeds from derivative instruments.
Commodity Purchase Contract [Member]
Net commodity purchase contracts
Derivative instrument whose primary underlying risk is tied to the purchase of commodities.
Commodity Sale Contract [Member]
Net commodity sale contracts
Derivative instrument whose primary underlying risk is tied to the sale of commodities.
Grain [Member]
Grain
Represents the derivative instrument whose primary underlying risk is tied to grain.
Soybean Meal [Member]
Soybean meal
Represents the derivative instrument whose primary underlying risk is tied to soybean meal.
Hogs [Member]
Hogs
Represents the derivative instrument whose primary underlying risk is tied to hogs.
Term of Derivative Contract
Term of derivative contract (in years)
Represents the term of the derivative contract entered into by the entity.
Derivative Credit Risk Number of Counterparties
Number of counterparties
Represents the number of counterparties with respect to whom the entity has counterparty credit risk related to derivative contracts.
Percentage of Ownership Interest by Parent
Percentage of ownership interest held by Seaboard Flour LLC and SFC Preferred LLC (Parent Companies)
Represents the percentage of ownership interest in the entity held by the parent company.
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Minority Interest
The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to noncontrolling interest.
Increase in non-controlling interest
Consolidation and Investments in Affiliates [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation and Investments in Affiliates
All Currencies [Domain]
Term Note [Member]
Term note
Represents the details of the term note.
Foreign Subsidiaries [Member]
Represents details pertaining to the foreign subsidiaries of the entity.
Foreign subsidiaries
All Currencies [Axis]
Represents the set of currencies.
South Africa, Rand
South African Rand
Notes Payable to Bank Maximum Repayment Term
Represents the maximum repayment term of notes payable to banks.
Maximum repayment term (in years)
Long Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations by Maturity [Abstract]
Maturities of long-term debt
Long Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Maturities Repayments of Principal in Next Twelve Months
Amount of long-term debt and capital lease obligations maturing within the next twelve months following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements.
2012
Long Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Maturities Repayments of Principal in Year Three
Amount of long-term debt and capital lease obligations maturing in year three following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements.
2014
Long Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Maturities Repayments of Principal in Year Two
Amount of long-term debt and capital lease obligations maturing in year two following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements.
2013
Long Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Maturities Repayments of Principal in Year Four
Amount of long-term debt and capital lease obligations maturing in year four following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements.
2015
Long Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Maturities Repayments of Principal in Year Five
Amount of long-term debt and capital lease obligations maturing in year five following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements.
2016
Long Term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Maturities Repayments of Principal after Year Five
Amount of long-term debt and capital lease obligations maturities after year five following the date of the latest balance sheet presented in the financial statements.
Thereafter
Grain Trading Business [Member]
Grain and commodity trading businesses
Represents the information pertaining to grain trading businesses.
Sugar Related Business [Member]
Sugar related businesses
Represents the information pertaining to sugar related businesses.
Loan Provided to Equity Method Investee, Original Principal Amount
The original principal amount of the loan provided to equity method investee.
Loan provided to affiliate
Amortization Period of Remaining Syndication Fee
Amortization period of remaining net syndication fee (in years)
Represents the term of the investee's debt, which is the amortization period of the remaining syndication fees that were not recognized initially by the entity.
Number of Business
Number of businesses
Represents the number of businesses.
Loan to Equity Method Investee, Proceeds from Loan Fee
Cash fee received as consideration for unsecured subordinated loan provided
Represents the proceeds from loan fee on loan made to equity method investee.
Syndication Fee Received from Investee
Represents the net syndication fee received from equity method investee relating to entity's arrangement of refinancing of investee's debt.
Cash syndication fee
Marine [Member]
Marine
Represents the Marine segment of the entity.
Guarantees Outstanding Number of Third Parties
Number of third parties to whom guarantees are outstanding
Represents the number of third parties to whom guarantees are outstanding.
Hog procurement contracts
Represents the contractual obligation to procure hog over periods that initially exceed one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.
Hog Procurement Contracts [Member]
Grain and feed ingredients
Represents the contractual obligation to procure grain and feed ingredients over periods that initially exceed one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.
Grain and Feed Ingredients [Member]
Grain purchase contracts for resale
Represents the contractual obligation to procure grain purchase contracts for resale over periods that initially exceed one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.
Grain Purchase Contracts for Resale [Member]
Construction of new power barge
Represents the contractual obligation to construct new power barge over periods that initially exceed one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.
Construction of New Power Barge [Member]
Fuel purchase contract
Represents the contractual obligation to procure fuel over periods that initially exceed one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.
Fuel Purchase Contract [Member]
Equipment purchases and facility improvements
Represents the contractual obligation to procure equipment and improve facilities over periods that initially exceed one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.
Equipment Purchases and Facility Improvements [Member]
Other purchase commitments
Represents the contractual obligation to procure other items over periods that initially exceed one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.
Other Purchase Commitments [Member]
Vessel, time and voyage-charter Arrangements
Represents the contractual obligation under vessel, time and voyage-charter arrangements over periods that vary from a few months to one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.
Vessel Time and Voyage Charter Arrangements [Member]
Contract grower finishing agreements
Represents the contractual obligation under contract grower finishing agreements over periods that initially exceed one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.
Contract Grower Finishing Agreements [Member]
Power [Member]
Power
Represents the Power segment of the entity.
Agent Concentration Risk [Member]
Agent
Reflects the percentage that revenues in the period from one or more significant agents is to net revenues, as defined by the entity, such as total net revenues, product line revenues, segment revenues. The risk is the materially adverse effect of loss of a significant agent.
Schedule of Revenues from External Customers by Geographical Areas [Table Text Block]
Geographic summary of net sales based on the location of product delivery
Tabular disclosure of information concerning the amount of revenue from external customers attributed to that country from which revenue is material. An entity may also provide subtotals of geographic information about groups of countries.
Schedule of Long Lived Assets by Geographical Areas [Table Text Block]
Geographic summary of the entity's long-lived assets according to their physical location and primary port for the vessels
Tabular disclosure of information concerning material long-lived assets (excluding financial instruments, customer relationships with financial institutions, mortgage and other servicing rights, deferred policy acquisition costs, and deferred tax assets) located in identified geographic areas. An entity may also provide subtotals of geographic information about groups of countries.
Reporting Segments, Number
Number of reportable segments
The number of reportable segments of the entity.
Number of Barges on which System of Diesel Engines are Mounted
Number of barges on which system of diesel engines are mounted
Represents the number of barges on which the system of diesel engines are mounted.
Concentration Risk Number
Number of agents
For an entity that discloses a concentration risk in relation to quantitative amount, which serves as the "benchmark" (or denominator) in the equation, this concept represents the concentration number derived from the division.
Number of Floating Power Generating Facilities Sold
Number of floating power generating facilities sold
Represents the sale consideration of the floating power generating facilities sold during the period.
Consideration for Sale of Floating Power Generating Facilities
Consideration for sale of floating power generating facilities
Represents the sale consideration for sale of floating power generating facilities.
Escrow Earnings
Escrow earnings
Represents the escrow earnings for the period.
Capacity of Floating Power Generating Facility Leased
Capacity of EDM leased (in megawatts)
Represents the capacity of the floating power generating facilities leased.
Capacity of Floating Power Generating Facility Newly Constructed
Capacity of floating power generating facility newly constructed (in megawatts)
Represents the capacity of the floating power generating facility which is newly constructed during the period.
Floating Power Generating Facility Cost of Construction
Approximate construction cost of new floating power generating facility
Represents the construction cost of the new floating power generating facility.
Threshold for Disclosure, Percentage
Threshold percentage which the entity uses for disclosure of concentration of risk
Threshold percentage which the entity uses for disclosure.
UNITED STATES
United States
Segment Geographical Groups of Countries Group Three [Member]
Canada/Mexico
A third specified group of foreign countries about which segment information is provided by the entity.
Segment Geographical Groups of Countries Group Four [Member]
Pacific Basin and Far East
A fourth specified group of foreign countries about which segment information is provided by the entity.
Segment Geographical Groups of Countries Group Five [Member]
Eastern Mediterranean
A fifth specified group of foreign countries about which segment information is provided by the entity.
Segment Geographical Groups of Countries Group Six [Member]
Europe
A sixth specified group of foreign countries about which segment information is provided by the entity.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Dominican Republic
All Other Countries [Member]
All Other
Represents information pertaining to other countries not disclosed elsewhere in the taxonomy.
Segment Reporting, Net Assets, Denominated in ARS
Net assets of Sugar segment denominated in Argentine pesos
Represents net assets of the reportable segment denominated in Argentine pesos.
Represents Net liabilities of the reportable segment denominated in United States dollars.
Segment Reporting, Net Liabilities, Denominated in USD
Net liabilities of Sugar segment denominated in U.S. dollars
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans Related to Employees at Subsidiaries
Unrecognized pension cost related to employees at certain subsidiaries
The total of net gain (loss), prior service cost (credit), and transition assets (obligations), as well as minimum pension liability if still remaining related to employees at certain subsidiaries, included in accumulated other comprehensive income associated with a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan(s) because they have yet to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost.
SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa
Schedule of Fair Value of Plan Assets [Table Text Block]
Schedule of Plans' assets measured at fair value
Tabular disclosure of the fair value of each major category of plan assets, and the level within the fair value hierarchy in which the fair value measurements fall.
Domestic Large Cap Equity Securities [Member]
Domestic Large Cap Equity
This category includes investments in domestic large-cap companies.
Domestic Small and Mid Cap Equity Securities [Member]
Domestic Small and Mid Cap Equity
This category includes investments in domestic, small and mid-cap companies.
Alternative Investments [Member]
Alternative investments
This category includes the alternative investments of plan assets.
Collective Investment Funds [Member]
Collective investment funds
This category includes investment in collective investment funds.
Emerging Markets Equity [Member]
Emerging markets - equity
Represents emerging markets equity, for which information is being disaggregated.
Equity Mutual Funds [Member]
Mutual funds-equities
Represents the investment in equity mutual funds.
Real Estate Mutual Funds [Member]
Real estate mutual fund
Represents the investment in real estate mutual funds.
Exchange Traded Fixed Income Funds [Member]
Emerging markets - fixed income
An investment that pools funds from many investors to invest in a combination of underlying investments, primarily fixed income investments and follows an index, commodity or basket of assets that trade on a stock exchange.
Other Plan Assets [Member]
Other
Represents investment in plan assets not otherwise specified in the taxonomy.
Defined Benefit Plan by Difference [Axis]
This element represents the funded status of defined benefit plans as a difference between the fair value of assets and the benefit obligation.
Difference of Assets and Obligation [Domain]
This element represents the difference between the fair value of assets and the benefit obligations.
Assets Exceeding Accumulated Benefit Obligation [Member]
Assets exceed Accumulated benefits
This element represents the excess of the fair value of plan assets over the accumulated benefit obligations.
Accumulated Benefit Obligation Exceeding Assets [Member]
Accumulated benefits exceed assets
This element represents the excess of the accumulated benefit obligations over the fair value of plan assets.
Defined Benefit Plan, Eligibility for Participation Requisite Service Period after Attaining Specified Age
Requisite service period upon attaining age of 21 to be eligible for participation (in years)
The minimum period that the individual is required to perform services in order to be eligible for participation under the defined benefit plan.
Defined Benefit Plan, Eligibility for Participation Requisite Age of Employees
Requisite age of employees to be eligible for participation (in years)
The minimum age of individual required in order to be eligible for participation under the defined benefit plan.
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Allocation Percentage of Assets
Target Allocations (as a percent)
Target allocation percentage of investments to total plan assets presented on a weighted-average basis as of the measurement date of the latest statement of financial position.
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Allocation Percentage of Assets
Actual Composition of Plans (as a percent)
Actual allocation percentage of investments to total plan assets presented on a weighted-average basis as of the measurement date of the latest statement of financial position.
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Split Benefit Obligation
Plan split
The amount of increase or decrease in benefit obligation due to plan split.
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Split Plan Assets
Plan split
The amount of increase or decrease in plan assets due to plan split.
Amortization and other
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization and Other Costs
The amount of gains or losses and any other periodic costs associated with defined benefit plans that are not separately disclosed, recognized in net periodic benefit cost.
Schedule of Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures [Table]
Disclosures about an individual defined contribution plan.
Defined Contribution Plans Disclosures [Axis]
Reflects the description and required disclosures pertaining to the entity's defined contributions plans.
Defined Contribution Plans [Domain]
Represents the information pertaining to defined contribution plan.
Defined Contribution Plan, Covering Domestic Salaried and Clerical Employees [Member]
Defined contribution plan covering domestic, salaried and clerical employees
Represents the defined contribution plan covering domestic, salaried and clerical employees.
Defined Contribution Plan, Covering Hourly Non Union Daily Employees [Member]
Defined contribution plan covering hourly, non union and Daily's employees
Represents the defined contribution plan covering hourly, non union employees and Daily's employees.
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined contribution pans
Defined Contribution Plan, Covering Daily Employees Number of Plans
Number of defined contribution plans covering Daily's employees
Represents the number of defined contribution plans covering Daily's employees.
Defined Contribution Plan, Employee Contribution, Percentage of Employee Contribution
Employer contribution (as a percent of employee contributions)
The employee contributions to the plan per calendar year as a percentage of employee contributions.
Defined Contribution Plan, Employee Contribution Limit, Percentage of Compensation
Employer contribution limit per calendar year (as a percent of compensation)
The limit of annual employee contributions to the plan per calendar year as a percentage of compensation.
Defined Contribution Plan, Vesting Percentage after One Year of Service
Vesting percentage after one year of service
Represents the percentage of vesting after first year of service.
Defined Contribution Plan, Vesting Percentage with Each Additional Completed Year of Service after One Year
Additional vesting percentage with each additional completed year of service
Represents the additional vesting percentage with each additional completed year of service, after the first year of service.
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual [Abstract]
Deferred compensation plan
Number of Deferred Compensation Plans
Number of deferred compensation plans
Represents the number of deferred compensation plans.
Deferred Compensation Arrangement Reduction in Employees Compensation in Exchange for Values in Investments Number
Number of investments against the values of which, employee may be allowed to reduce their compensation
Represents the number of investments against the values of which, employees may be allowed to reduce their compensation under deferred compensation plan.
Deferred Compensation Arrangement Investment Option Plan Number of Investments Referred to Measure Interest
Number of investments, which are taken as reference to measure the interest that may be acquired
Represents the number of investments, which are taken as reference to measure the interest that may be acquired by employees in exchange for reduction in their compensation.
Deferred Compensation Arrangement Employer Contribution as Percentage of Employees Reduced Contribution
Employer contribution as percentage of the employees' reduced compensation
Represents the employer's contribution as a percentage of employees' reduced compensation under the deferred compensation plan which allows certain employees to reduce their compensation in exchange for values in investments.
Deferred Compensation Plan, Investment Income (Loss), Related to Trading Securities
Investment income (loss) related to the mark-to-market of investments treated as trading securities
Represents the deferred compensation plan investment income (loss) related to the mark-to-market of the investments treated as trading securities.
Purchase Commitment Including Long Term Commitment [Member]
Purchase arrangement in which the entity has agreed to expend funds to procure goods or services from a supplier.
Total firm purchase commitments
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Long Term Commitments Contract Period
Contract period (in years)
Represents period of long-term commitments contracts.
Performance Incentive Payments under Contractual Obligations
Incentive payments for achieving certain performance standards
Represents the incentive payments to be made for achieving certain performance standards.
Payments under Contractual Obligations
Amount paid under the down payment
Represents the amount of cash paid under contract grower finishing arrangements.
Schedule of Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments by Segment [Text Block]
Summary of specific financial information related to income (loss) from affiliates
Tabular disclosure of income or loss from equity method investments by segment.
Reconciliation of Depreciation and Amortization from Segment to Consolidated [Text Block]
Summary of specific financial information related to depreciation and amortization
Tabular disclosure of all significant reconciling items in the reconciliation of total depreciation and amortization from reportable segments to the entity's consolidated totals.
Schedule of Investment in and Advances to Affiliates by Segment [Text Block]
Summary of specific financial information related to investments in and advances to affiliates
Tabular disclosure of investments in and advances to affiliates by segment.
Reconciliation of Capital Expenditure from Segment to Consolidated [Text Block]
Summary of specific financial information related to capital expenditures
Tabular disclosure of all significant reconciling items in the reconciliation of total capital expenditures from reportable segments to the entity's consolidated totals.
Schedule of Debt Instruments [Table]
A table or schedule providing information pertaining to short-term and long-term debt instruments or arrangements, including identification, terms, features, collateral requirements and other information necessary to a fair presentation.
Foreign Subsidiary Obligation at 5.34 Percent Due 2012 through 2021 [Member]
Represents the foreign subsidiary obligation with an interest rate of 5.34 percent due 2012 through 2021.
Foreign subsidiary obligation, 5.34%, due 2012 through 2021
Debt Instrument, Floating Interest Rate, Minimum
When presenting a range of interest rates, represents the minimum floating interest rate as of the balance sheet date.
Floating rates, low end of range (as a percent)
Foreign Consolidated Subsidiary Reporting Period Lag
Represents the lag for reporting remeasurement of notes payable denominated in foreign currency.
The lag for reporting remeasurement of notes payable denominated in foreign currency (in months)
Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Deductions and Recoveries and Currency Translation
Net deductions/ Other
Total of the deductions in a given period to allowances and reserves, the valuation and qualifying accounts that are either netted against the cost of an asset (in order to value it at its carrying value) or that reflect a liability established to represent expected future costs, representing receivables written off as uncollectible and portions of the reserves utilized, respectively. Along with total of recoveries of amounts due the Entity that had previously been written off as uncollectible using allowances (the valuation accounts that are netted against the cost of an asset to value it at its carrying value) and total of reestablishments of reserves (liabilities established to represent expected future costs) that had previously been utilized. Along with total currency translation adjustment.
Deferred Compensation Arrangement, Compensation Expense
Deferred compensation plan expense (income)
The compensation expense recognized during the period relating to the deferred compensation arrangement.
Enhanced Cash Mutual Funds [Member]
Enhanced cash mutual fund
Represents enhanced cash mutual funds, for which information is being disaggregated.
Emerging markets debt mutual fund
Emerging Market Debt [Member]
Emerging markets debt mutual fund
Represents emerging markets debt, for which information is being disaggregated.
Emerging markets - fixed income
Net Fair Value of Derivative Assets Net of Derivative Liabilities and Net of Margin Deposit
Fair value as of the balance sheet date of derivative assets and derivative liabilities, presented on a net basis, and also net of related margin accounts.
Derivative assets and liabilities, net basis
Miscellaneous Net [Member]
Caption reflecting the net miscellaneous income (expense) of items not included elsewhere in the income statement.
Miscellaneous, net
Other Current Assets [Member]
Other current assets
Represents investments included within other the current assets caption in the balance sheet.
Conditional and Unconditional Commitments under Contract [Abstract]
Conditional and Unconditional Commitments
Japan
JAPAN
EDN [Member]
Relates to floating power generating facility Estrella Del Norte ("EDN").
EDN
EDM [Member]
Relates to floating power generating facility Estrella Del Mar ("EDM").
EDM
EDN and EDM [Member]
Relates to floating power generating facilities Estrella Del Norte ("EDN") and Estrella Del Mar ("EDM").
EDN and EDM
Proceeds from Sale of Power Generating Facilities Inventory Items
Amount received by the entity on sale of floating power generating facilities from various inventory items
The cash inflow from the sale of a various inventory items associated with floating power generating facilities.
Property Plant and Equipment and Inventory, Net
Net book value of power generating facilities and certain inventory items
Represents the sum total of the net value of property, plant and equipment and inventory.
Foreign [Member]
Foreign Country
Location outside its country of domicile.
Businesses Conducting Flour Maize and Feed Milling and Poultry Production and Processing [Member]
Represents businesses conducting flour, maize and feed milling and poultry production and processing for which information is being disaggregated.
Businesses conducting flour, maize and feed milling and poultry production and processing
North Carolina
NORTH CAROLINA
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage, Reacquired by Third Party
Represents the ownership percentage in the equity method investee that was reacquired by the co-owner of the investee, prior to the entity purchasing its interest from the co-owner.
Percentage of interest held by Murphy Brown, LLC reacquired by Maxwell Group
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Intangible Assets Trade Name
The amount of the equity method investee's intangible assets for trade name.
Investee's intangible assets for trade name
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Goodwill
The amount of the equity method investee's intangible assets for goodwill.
Investee's intangible assets for goodwill
Investment in Project
Represents the entity's investment in the project as of the balance sheet date.
Investment to date in project
Line of Credit, Extended by Entity to Equity Method Investee
Represents the equity method investee's borrowing capacity under the line of credit provided by the entity.
Capacity provided by Seaboard
Line of Credit, Extended by Entity to Equity Method Investee, Description of Variable Rate Basis
The reference rate, such as LIBOR or Prime, for the variable rate under the line of credit provided by the entity to the equity method investee.
Reference rate
Line of Credit, Extended by Entity to Equity Method Investee, Basis Spread on Variable Rate
The percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate under the line of credit provided by the entity to the equity method investee.
Spread over reference rate (as a percent)
Line of Credit, Extended by Entity to Equity Method Investee, Unused Capacity Commitment Fee, Percentage
The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility provided by the entity to the equity method investee, for available but unused credit capacity under the credit facility.
Commitment fee on unused portion (as a percent)
Loan to Equity Method Investee, Loan Fee Amortization Recognized as Interest Income
Amortization during period of cash fee, recorded in interest income
The amortization recorded during the period on the loan fee received from equity method investee, which was recognized as interest income
Loans Receivable, Effective Interest Rate
Represents the effective interest rate on the loan receivable.
Approximate effective interest rate (as a percent)
Equity Method Investee, Insurance Gain Entity's Share
Represents the entity's share of the equity method investee's gain attributable to proceeds from insurance settlements.
Seaboard's proportionate share of insurance gain related to earthquake
Impairment charge offset by reduction to noncontrolling interest
Represents the amount of the reduction during the period of a noncontrolling interest resulting from impairment of assets partially owned by the reporting entity.
Noncontrolling Interest Decrease from Impairment of Assets
Total impact on net earnings attributable to Seaboard, net of taxes
Represents the net of tax impact of assets impairment on the net earnings attributable to the parent entity.
Impact of Impairment on Net Earnings
Deferred Costs
Deferred Inventory Costs [Policy Text Block]
Disclosure of accounting policy for costs related to inventory delivered to customers for which the sale has not yet been recognized as revenue because final price is not yet fixed and determinable.
Capitalized interest
The amount of interest capitalized for the period related to property, plant and equipment.
Interest Paid Capitalized Related to Property, Plant and Equipment
Foreign currency gain
Foreign Currency Remeasurement Gain (Loss) before Tax
Amount of gain (loss) included in the statement of earnings from remeasuring financial instruments denominated in a currency that is different from the functional currency of the foreign consolidated subsidiary.
Accrued voyage costs
Accrued Voyage Costs, Current
Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations for voyage costs incurred and payable, pertaining to costs that are statutory in nature, are incurred on contractual obligations, or accumulate over time and for which invoices have not yet been received or will not be rendered. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).
Accrued commodity inventory
Accrued Liability for Commodity Inventory, Current
Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations for commodity inventory costs incurred and payable. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).
Payments for (Proceeds from) Issuance of Short Term Note Receivable to Affiliate
The net cash inflow or outflow associated with issuance of short-term note receivable to affiliates of the reporting entity during the reporting period.
Short-term note receivable issued to affiliate, net
Payment of Advances on Capital Lease
The cash outflow associated with payment of advances on capital lease of the reporting entity during the reporting period.
Advance payment on capital lease
Advance capital lease payment to begin operations in 2012 of a flour mill in Ghana
Payments for Issuance of Long Term Note Receivable to Affiliate
The cash outflow associated with issuance of long-term note receivable to affiliates of the reporting entity during the reporting period.
Long-term notes receivable issued to affiliate
Foreign receivables, excluding receivables due from affiliates
Foreign Accounts Receivable excluding Receivables from Affiliates
Amounts due from foreign customers or clients, within one year of the balance sheet date (or the normal operating cycle, whichever is longer) for goods or services (including trade receivables) that have been delivered or sold in the normal course of business. These exclude amounts due from affiliates.
Segment Reporting, Net Assets Denominated in USD
Net assets of Sugar segment denominated in U.S. dollars
Represents net assets of the reportable segment denominated in United States dollars.
Emerging Markets Trading Debt Mutual Funds [Member]
Emerging markets trading debt mutual fund
Represents emerging markets trading debt mutual funds that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling in the near term (thus held for only a short period of time).
Emerging Markets Trading Debt Securities [Member]
Emerging markets trading debt securities
Represents emerging markets trading debt securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling in the near term (thus held for only a short period of time).
Soybean Oil [Member]
Soybean oil
Represents the derivative instrument whose primary underlying risk is tied to soybean oil.
Initial Lease Term
Initial lease term (in years)
Represents the initial term of lease.
Multiemployer Plan Percentage of Contributions Maximum
Maximum percentage of total contributions to multi-employer pension fund
Represents the maximum percentage of total contributions to multi-employer pension fund.
Number of Entities Discontinuing Operations
Number of entities discontinuing operations
Represents the number of non-consolidated affiliates that discontinued operations.
Payment to increase ownership interest in affiliate
Payments to Acquire Additional Interest in Subsidiaries
Number of investment policies
Defined Benefit Plan Number Of Investment Policies
Represents the number of investment policies which the entity has implemented due to different characteristics of its defined benefit pension plans.
Fixed Assets Impairment and Accrued Severance Charge
Proportionate share of impairment of fixed assets charge and accrued severance charges
The Company's share of impairment of fixed assets charges and accrued severance charges.
Comprehensive income attributable to Seaboard
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Increase in goodwill
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Goodwill Amount
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Investment in and Advances to Affiliates
Decrease in investments in and advances to affiliates
Represents the removal of the investment in and advances to affiliates since this is no longer accounted for by the equity method but instead is now a consolidated entity.
Number of Defined Benefit Plans
Represents the number of defined benefit plans.
Number of defined benefit plans
Impairment of Long Lived Assets held for Use Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Impairment charge attributable to noncontrolling interest
Represents the impairment charges attributable to noncontrolling interest.
Impact of Impairment Charges on Net Earnings Attributable to Parent Net of Tax
Impact of impairment charges on net earnings attributable to parent, net of tax
Represents the impact of impairment charges offset by the reduction or loss attributable to noncontrolling interest, on net earnings attributable to parent, net of tax.
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges
Letters of Credit Outstanding Amount for Supply Agreements
Letters of credit outstanding related to supply agreements
The total amount by which the borrowing capacity was reduced under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date related to supply agreements.
Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax
Increase in intangible assets
Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Amortizable Intangible Assets
Notes Receivable [Member]
Long-term note receivable
Payments for Construction in Process
Total project costs capitalized to date
Amendment Description
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
Amortized Cost
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping, Disclosure Item Amounts [Axis]
Fair Value, Disclosure Item Amounts [Domain]
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract]
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract]
Denominated in Canadian dollars
Canada, Dollars
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Money Market Funds and Deposit Accounts [Member]
Money market funds and deposit accounts
Represents information pertaining to money market funds and deposit accounts.
Money market funds
Money Market Funds [Member]
Whey Powder [Member]
Whey powder
Represents the derivative instrument whose primary underlying risk is tied to whey powder.
Settlement
Defined Benefit Plan, Settlements, Benefit Obligation
Number of Dry Bulk Vessels to be Build
Number of dry bulk vessels to be built
Represents entity pertaining to number of dry bulk vessels to be built.
Long -term Commitment Amount
Cost of dry bulk vessels to be built
Represents the amount of agreement entered into by the entity, for building dry bulk vessels.
Number of floating power generating facilities leased
Number of floating power generating facilties leased
Represents the number of floating power generating facilities leased.