Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2022	Aug. 05, 2022
Entity Registrant Name	SUNOPTA INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000351834
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jul. 02, 2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Transition Report	false
Document Quarterly Report	true
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		107,725,647
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity File Number	001-34198
Entity Address, Address Line One	7078 Shady Oak Road
Entity Address, City or Town	Eden Prairie
City Area Code	952
Local Phone Number	820-2518
Entity Address, State or Province	MN
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Tax Identification Number	00-0000000
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	Z4
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	55344
Entity Incorporation, Date of Incorporation	Nov. 13, 1973
The Nasdaq Stock Market | Common Shares
Trading Symbol	STKL
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Shares
The Toronto Stock Exchange | Common Shares
Trading Symbol	SOY
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Shares