SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 29, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 29, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
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	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
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	190,445	190,791	288,632	245,019
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	0	0	0	0
Net income	190,445	190,791	288,632	245,019
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	85	86	155	(268)
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	190,360	190,705	288,477	245,287
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	(120,386)	(187,970)	(225,934)	(255,694)
Cost of sales	(120,386)	(187,970)	(225,934)	(255,694)
Gross profit	0	0	0	0
Selling, general and administrative expense	0	0	0	0
Administrative restructuring charges	0	0	0	0
Operating income	0	0	0	0
Interest expense, net	0	0	0	0
Interest income	0	0	0	0
Foreign currency transaction loss (gain)	0	0	0	0
Miscellaneous, net	64	223	132	182
Income before income taxes	(64)	(223)	(132)	(182)
Income tax expense	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	(64)	(223)	(132)	(182)
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	(43,162)	(41,526)	(74,921)	(86,164)
Net income	(43,226)	(41,749)	(75,053)	(86,346)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	(43,226)	(41,749)	(75,053)	(86,346)
Parent [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	1,893,937	1,879,632	3,647,005	3,649,426
Cost of sales	1,609,572	1,678,181	3,206,663	3,382,979
Gross profit	284,365	201,451	440,342	266,447
Selling, general and administrative expense	42,509	37,013	81,084	74,497
Administrative restructuring charges	438	480	2,151	964
Operating income	241,418	163,958	357,107	190,986
Interest expense, net	14,474	22,781	33,799	47,464
Interest income	(145)	(3)	(307)	(6)
Foreign currency transaction loss (gain)	(1)	1	2	(9)
Miscellaneous, net	(2,634)	(2,031)	(5,275)	(3,746)
Income before income taxes	229,724	143,210	328,888	147,283
Income tax expense	82,526	(5,969)	115,332	(11,840)
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	147,198	149,179	213,556	159,123
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	43,162	41,526	74,921	86,164
Net income	190,360	190,705	288,477	245,287
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	190,360	190,705	288,477	245,287
Subsidiary Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	128,300	195,758	240,850	271,418
Cost of sales	120,914	182,082	219,767	249,016
Gross profit	7,386	13,676	21,083	22,402
Selling, general and administrative expense	1,141	1,111	2,379	2,119
Administrative restructuring charges	0	0	0	0
Operating income	6,245	12,565	18,704	20,283
Interest expense, net	(47)	0	(61)	0
Interest income	0	0	0	0
Foreign currency transaction loss (gain)	0	0	0	0
Miscellaneous, net	1,942	1,088	3,587	2,309
Income before income taxes	4,350	11,477	15,178	17,974
Income tax expense	1,652	3,885	7,416	5,854
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	2,698	7,592	7,762	12,120
Net income	2,698	7,592	7,762	12,120
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0	0
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	2,698	7,592	7,762	12,120
Subsidiary Non-Guarantors [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	284,965	296,699	542,960	555,898
Cost of sales	227,241	229,318	439,804	443,805
Gross profit	57,724	67,381	103,156	112,093
Selling, general and administrative expense	4,957	5,975	10,345	11,475
Administrative restructuring charges	0	0	0	0
Operating income	52,767	61,406	92,811	100,618
Interest expense, net	135	184	297	322
Interest income	(847)	(704)	(1,496)	(917)
Foreign currency transaction loss (gain)	(1,818)	9,712	(1,484)	2,098
Miscellaneous, net	(365)	3	(443)	533
Income before income taxes	55,662	52,211	95,937	98,582
Income tax expense	15,049	17,968	28,491	24,624
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	40,613	34,243	67,446	73,958
Net income	40,613	34,243	67,446	73,958
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	85	86	155	(268)
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$ 40,528	$ 34,157	$ 67,291	$ 74,226