SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2012	Dec. 25, 2011	Dec. 26, 2010
Net income (loss)	$ 174,042	$ (495,690)	$ 90,326
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(12)	(1,160)	(226)
Recognition in earnings of a previously unrecognized gain on a derivative instrument designated as a cash flow hedge, net of tax	0	0	(2,565)
Gains (losses) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax	(22,429)	(21,273)	6,420
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(22,441)	(22,433)	3,629
Comprehensive income (loss)	151,601	(518,123)	93,955
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(192)	1,082	3,185
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	151,793	(519,205)	90,770
Parent Company [Member]
Net income (loss)	176,712	(464,094)	56,332
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	0	0	0
Recognition in earnings of a previously unrecognized gain on a derivative instrument designated as a cash flow hedge, net of tax			2,565
Gains (losses) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax	(22,429)	(21,273)	6,424
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(22,429)	(21,273)	3,855
Comprehensive income (loss)	154,283	(485,367)	60,187
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	154,283	(485,367)	60,187
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Net income (loss)	15,819	15,420	10,787
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	0	0	0
Recognition in earnings of a previously unrecognized gain on a derivative instrument designated as a cash flow hedge, net of tax			0
Gains (losses) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	15,819	15,420	10,787
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	15,819	15,420	10,787
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Net income (loss)	83,567	(30,602)	89,907
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(12)	(1,160)	(226)
Recognition in earnings of a previously unrecognized gain on a derivative instrument designated as a cash flow hedge, net of tax			0
Gains (losses) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(12)	(1,160)	(226)
Comprehensive income (loss)	83,555	(31,762)	89,681
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(192)	1,082	3,185
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	83,747	(32,844)	86,496
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Net income (loss)	(102,056)	(16,414)	(66,700)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	0	0	0
Recognition in earnings of a previously unrecognized gain on a derivative instrument designated as a cash flow hedge, net of tax			0
Gains (losses) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax	0	0	0
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss)	(102,056)	(16,414)	66,700
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$ 102,056	$ (16,414)	$ 66,700