EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS [Abstract]

Change in benefit obligation

The actuarial recorded liabilities for such unfunded postretirement benefit is as follows:

Change in benefit obligation:

	2012			2011
Benefit obligation at beginning of year	$	1,078		$	1,296
Service cost with interest to end of year		53			38
Interest cost		41			41
Participant contributions		2			9
Benefits paid		(93	)		(135	)
Actuarial loss/(gain)		220			(171	)
Benefit obligation at end of year	$	1,301		$	1,078

Change in plan assets

Change in plan assets:

	2012			2011
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year	$	-		$	-
Employer contributions		91			126
Participant contributions		2			9
Benefits paid		(93	)		(135	)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year	$	-		$	-

Amounts recognized in consolidated balance sheet

Amounts recognized in consolidated balance sheet:

	2012			2011
Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	$	(1,301	)	$	(1,078	)
Fair value of plan assets		-			-
Funded status		(1,301	)		(1,078	)
Unrecognized prior service cost		N/A			N/A
Unrecognized net (gain)/loss		N/A			N/A
Net amount recognized in consolidated balance sheet (after ASC 715) (included in other long-term obligations)	$	1,301		$	1,078
Accrued postretirement benefit cost (included in other long-term obligations)	$	N/A		$	N/A

Components of net periodic benefit cost

Components of net periodic benefit cost:

	2012			2011			2010
Service cost with interest to end of year	$	53		$	38		$	35
Interest cost		41			41			45
Amortization of prior service cost		(18	)		(18	)		(18	)
Amortization of loss/(gain)		4			(4	)		(3	)
Total net periodic benefit cost	$	80		$	57		$	59

Estimated future employer contributions and benefit payments

Estimated future employer contributions and benefit payments are as follows:

Year
2013	$	17
2014		14
2015		28
2016		46
2017		69
Years 2018-2022		641

Pension fund disclosure

Pension	EIN/Pension	Pension Plan Protection Act		FIP/RP Status	Contributions of Balchem			Surcharge	Expiration Date of Collective-
	Plan	Zone Status		Pending/	Corporation				Bargaining
Fund	Number	2012	2011	Implemented	2012	2011	2010	Imposed	Agreement
Central States, Southeast and Southwest Areas Pension Fund	36-6044243	Red as of 1/1/2012	Red as of 1/1/2011	Implemented	413	379	312	No	5/31/2017