CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 29, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 2,186,816	$ 2,184,119	$ 4,204,881	$ 4,221,048
Cost of sales	1,837,341	1,901,611	3,640,300	3,820,106
Gross profit	349,475	282,508	564,581	400,942
Selling, general and administrative expense	48,607	44,099	93,808	88,091
Administrative restructuring charges	438	480	2,151	964
Operating income	300,430	237,929	468,622	311,887
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	14,562	22,965	34,035	47,786
Interest income	(992)	(707)	(1,803)	(923)
Foreign currency transaction loss (gain)	(1,819)	9,713	(1,482)	2,089
Miscellaneous, net	(993)	(717)	(1,999)	(722)
Income before income taxes	289,672	206,675	439,871	263,657
Income tax expense	99,227	15,884	151,239	18,638
Net income	190,445	190,791	288,632	245,019
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	85	86	155	(268)
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$ 190,360	$ 190,705	$ 288,477	$ 245,287
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding:
Basic	258,977	258,826	258,950	258,825
Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents	597	332	560	230
Diluted	259,574	259,158	259,510	259,055
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation per share of common stock outstanding:
Basic	$ 0.73	$ 0.74	$ 1.11	$ 0.95
Diluted	$ 0.73	$ 0.74	$ 1.11	$ 0.95