CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2012	Dec. 25, 2011	Dec. 26, 2010
Net sales	$ 8,121,382	$ 7,535,698	$ 6,881,629
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	7,685,550	7,675,277	6,416,318
Operational restructuring charges, net	0	1,958	4,318
Gross profit (loss)	435,832	(141,537)	460,993
Selling, general and administrative expense	177,041	205,143	209,544
Administrative restructuring charges, net	8,449	26,911	66,022
Total costs and expenses	7,871,040	7,909,289	6,696,202
Operating income (loss)	250,342	(373,591)	185,427
Other expenses (income):
Interest expense	104,926	111,532	105,553
Interest income	(1,397)	(1,465)	(3,805)
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains)	(4,810)	12,601	212
Loss on early extinguishment of debt	0	0	11,726
Miscellaneous, net	(1,439)	(9,133)	(13,288)
Total other expenses	97,280	113,535	100,398
Income (loss) from continuing operations before reorganization	153,062	(487,126)	85,029
Reorganization items, net	0	0	18,541
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes	153,062	(487,126)	66,488
Income tax expense (benefit)	(20,980)	8,564	(23,838)
Net income (loss)	174,042	(495,690)	90,326
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	(192)	1,082	3,185
Net income (loss) attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$ 174,234	$ (496,772)	$ 87,141
Net income (loss) per basic common share attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.70	$ (2.21)	$ 0.39
Net income (loss) per diluted common share attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation common stockholders (in dollars per share)	$ 0.70	$ (2.21)	$ 0.39
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	250,101	224,996	224,996
Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents (in shares)	115	0	0
Diluted (in shares)	250,216	224,996	224,996