1




                                                                      EXHIBIT 23


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We consent to the incorporation by reference into the registration statements of
Sonoco Products Company on Form S-8 (September 4, 1985, November 27, 1989,
November 22, 1993, June 7, 1995 and September 25, 1996) and Form S-3 (filed June
6, 1991, File No. 33-40538; filed October 4, 1993, File No. 33-50501 as amended;
filed October 4, 1993, File No. 33-50503 as amended) of our report dated January
30, 1998, on our audits of the consolidated financial statements of Sonoco
Products Company as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 1997, which report is incorporated by
reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.




                                         /s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
                                         ----------------------------
                                         Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.


Charlotte, North Carolina
March 13, 1998