Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 03, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 133,983	$ 158,249	[1]
Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances	608,802	508,144	[1]
Other receivables	30,237	31,917	[1]
Inventories:
Finished and in process	159,616	147,062	[1]
Materials and supplies	234,573	222,365	[1]
Prepaid expenses	55,317	66,782	[1]
Deferred income taxes	22,873	22,997	[1]
Total Current Assets	1,245,401	1,157,516	[1]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	953,221	944,136	[1]
Goodwill	857,115	839,748	[1]
Other Intangible Assets, Net	125,485	130,400	[1]
Long-term Deferred Income Taxes	40,703	42,100	[1]
Other Assets	171,664	167,114	[1]
Total Assets	3,393,589	3,281,014	[1]
Current Liabilities
Payable to suppliers	469,915	436,785	[1]
Accrued expenses and other	292,205	319,936	[1]
Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt	19,374	16,949	[1]
Accrued taxes	5,098	6,979	[1]
Total Current Liabilities	786,592	780,649	[1]
Long-term Debt, Net of Current Portion	716,807	603,941	[1]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits	227,056	323,040	[1]
Deferred Income Taxes	20,342	24,583	[1]
Other Liabilities	40,357	41,108	[1]
Commitments and Contingencies			[1]
Sonoco Shareholders' Equity
Common stock, no par value Authorized 300,000 shares 99,883 and 100,510 shares issued and outstanding at July 3, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively	7,175	7,175	[1]
Capital in excess of stated value	417,828	441,328	[1]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(226,130)	(292,867)	[1]
Retained earnings	1,389,315	1,336,155	[1]
Total Sonoco Shareholders' Equity	1,588,188	1,491,791	[1]
Noncontrolling Interests	14,247	15,902	[1]
Total Equity	1,602,435	1,507,693	[1]
Total Liabilities and Equity	$ 3,393,589	$ 3,281,014	[1]

[1] The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles.