CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS)/INCOME (unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 80,236	$ 73,768
Other comprehensive income/(loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(95,212)	(2,972)
Changes in defined benefit plans, net of tax	5,780	7,156
Changes in derivative financial instruments, net of tax	(4,555)	1,864
Other comprehensive (loss)/income	(93,987)	6,048
Comprehensive (loss)/income	(13,751)	79,816
Net loss/(income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	209	(105)
Other comprehensive loss/(income) attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,637	(120)
Comprehensive (loss)/income attributable to Sonoco	$ (11,905)	$ 79,591

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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