Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2009	Dec. 25, 2011	Dec. 26, 2010	Sep. 26, 2009
Net sales	$ 1,602,734	$ 7,535,698	$ 6,881,629	$ 7,088,055
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	1,531,104	7,677,235	6,416,318	6,764,788
Operational restructuring charges, net	2,877	0	4,318	12,464
Gross profit (loss)	68,753	(141,537)	460,993	310,803
Selling, general and administrative expense	62,523	205,993	209,544	241,489
Administrative restructuring charges, net	(1,359)	26,061	66,022	1,987
Total costs and expenses	1,595,145	7,909,289	6,696,202	7,020,728
Operating income (loss)	7,589	(373,591)	185,427	67,327
Other expenses (income):
Interest expense	44,673	111,532	105,553	161,929
Interest income	(480)	(1,465)	(3,805)	(4,386)
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains)	622	12,601	212	113
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	0	11,726	0
Miscellaneous, net	(1,506)	(9,133)	(13,288)	(3,755)
Total other expenses	43,309	113,535	100,398	153,901
Income (loss) before reorganization items and income taxes	(35,720)	(487,126)	85,029	(86,574)
Reorganization items, net	32,726	0	18,541	87,275
Income (loss) before income taxes	(68,446)	(487,126)	66,488	(173,849)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(102,371)	8,564	(23,838)	(21,586)
Income (loss) from continuing operations	33,925	(495,690)	90,326	(152,263)
Income from discontinued business, net of tax	0	0	0	599
Net income (loss)	33,925	(495,690)	90,326	(151,664)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	312	1,082	3,185	(82)
Net income (loss) attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	33,613	(496,772)	87,141	(151,582)
Net income (loss) per common share—basic:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation common stockholders	$ 0.45	$ (2.32)	$ 0.41	$ (2.06)
Income from discontinued business attributable to Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation common stockholders	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0.01
Net income (loss) attributable to Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation common stockholders	$ 0.45	$ (2.32)	$ 0.41	$ (2.05)
Net income (loss) per common share—diluted:
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation common stockholders	$ 0.44	$ (2.32)	$ 0.41	$ (2.06)
Income from discontinued business attributable to Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation common stockholders	$ 0		$ 0	$ 0.01
Diluted	$ 0.44	$ (2.32)	$ 0.41	$ (2.05)
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding:
Basic	74,374	214,282	214,282	74,056
Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents	2,767	0	0	2,060
Diluted	77,141	214,282	214,282	76,116
Amounts attributable to Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation common stockholders:
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax	33,613	(496,772)	87,141	(152,181)
Income from discontinued business, net of tax	0	0	0	599
Net income (loss) attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$ 33,613	$ (496,772)	$ 87,141	$ (151,582)