Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jul. 03, 2011	Jun. 27, 2010	Jul. 03, 2011	Jun. 27, 2010
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 1,127,865	$ 1,010,116	$ 2,245,188	$ 1,945,249
Cost of sales	936,775	817,592	1,859,889	1,576,967
Gross profit	191,090	192,524	385,299	368,282
Selling, general and administrative expenses	99,273	99,639	201,571	195,775
Restructuring/Asset impairment charges	9,578	2,511	11,895	6,458
Income before interest and income taxes	82,239	90,374	171,833	166,049
Interest expense	9,335	8,939	18,709	17,869
Interest income	1,161	381	1,798	874
Income before income taxes	74,065	81,816	154,922	149,054
Provision for income taxes	23,775	25,851	48,959	45,762
Income before equity in earnings of affiliates	50,290	55,965	105,963	103,292
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax	3,416	2,991	5,380	4,217
Net income	53,706	58,956	111,343	107,509
Net (income)/loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(298)	(3)	(544)	16
Net income attributable to Sonoco	$ 53,408	$ 58,953	$ 110,799	$ 107,525
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	100,891	101,511	101,104	101,342
Diluted	101,982	102,484	102,371	102,167
Net income attributable to Sonoco:
Basic	$ 0.53	$ 0.58	$ 1.10	$ 1.06
Diluted	$ 0.52	$ 0.58	$ 1.08	$ 1.05
Cash dividends	$ 0.29	$ 0.28	$ 0.57	$ 0.55

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