v2.4.0.8
Earnings per share (Table) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Sep. 28, 2013
Sep. 29, 2012
Sep. 28, 2013
Sep. 29, 2012
Earnings Per Share Abstract        
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Parent $ 2,913 $ 5,692 $ (6,883) $ 18,648
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes 0 112 (360) 1,193
Earnings (loss) attributable to SunOpta Inc. $ 2,913 $ 5,804 $ (7,243) $ 19,841
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]        
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic 66,369,141 65,949,415 66,221,286 65,871,213
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted 68,170,192 66,692,375 67,588,680 66,540,107
Earnings (loss) per share - basic        
from continuing operations basic $ 0.04 $ 0.09 $ (0.10) $ 0.28
from discontinued operations basic $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (0.01) $ 0.02
Earnings Per Share Total $ 0.04 $ 0.09 $ (0.11) $ 0.30
Earnings (loss) per share - diluted        
from continuing operations diluted $ 0.04 $ 0.09 $ (0.10) $ 0.28
from discontinued operations diluted $ 0.00 $ 0.00 $ (0.01) $ 0.02
Earnings Per Share Diluted Total $ 0.04 $ 0.09 $ (0.11) $ 0.30
Options Held [Member]
       
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]        
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Call Options and Warrants 1,389,346 571,131 1,017,574 525,840
Warrant [Member]
       
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items]        
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Call Options and Warrants 411,705 171,829 349,820 143,054