SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME) (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 Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	$ 190,445	$ 190,791	$ 288,632	$ 245,019
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Loss associated with available-for-sale securities, net of tax	7	0	(29)	0
Gains (loss) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax	(3,629)	25,391	(9,415)	35,801
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(3,622)	25,391	(9,444)	35,801
Comprehensive income	186,823	216,182	279,188	280,820
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	85	86	155	(268)
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	186,738	216,096	279,033	281,088
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	(43,226)	(41,749)	(75,053)	(86,346)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Loss associated with available-for-sale securities, net of tax	0		0
Gains (loss) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax	0	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	(43,226)	(41,749)	(75,053)	(86,346)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	(43,226)	(41,749)	(75,053)	(86,346)
Parent [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	190,360	190,705	288,477	245,287
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Loss associated with available-for-sale securities, net of tax	7		(29)
Gains (loss) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax	(3,629)	25,391	(9,415)	35,801
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(3,622)	25,391	(9,444)	35,801
Comprehensive income	186,738	216,096	279,033	281,088
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	186,738	216,096	279,033	281,088
Subsidiary Guarantor [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	2,698	7,592	7,762	12,120
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Loss associated with available-for-sale securities, net of tax	0		0
Gains (loss) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax	0	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	2,698	7,592	7,762	12,120
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	2,698	7,592	7,762	12,120
Subsidiary Non-Guarantors [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	40,613	34,243	67,446	73,958
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Loss associated with available-for-sale securities, net of tax	0		0
Gains (loss) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax	0	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	0	0	0	0
Comprehensive income	40,613	34,243	67,446	73,958
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	85	86	155	(268)
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$ 40,528	$ 34,157	$ 67,291	$ 74,226