CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2012	Dec. 25, 2011	Dec. 26, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 174,042	$ (495,690)	$ 90,326
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	147,414	209,061	231,045
Asset impairment	2,770	22,895	26,484
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains)	(5,261)	9,980	(1,111)
Noncash loss on early extinguishment of debt recognized as a component of other expense	0	0	11,726
Noncash loss on early extinguishment of debt recognized as a reorganization item	0	0	13,654
Accretion of bond discount	456	453	38
Losses (gains) on property disposals	5,306	(4,271)	(401)
Share-based compensation	684	567	0
Deferred income tax benefit	(1,098)	(7,097)	(69,260)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	12,680	53,273	(55,881)
Trade accounts and other receivables	(14,137)	(63,987)	(9,045)
Inventories	(65,870)	122,827	(285,839)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(2,600)	27,068	(45,315)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(16,520)	(7,274)	(91,119)
Income taxes	(33,714)	4,683	145,056
Deposits	1,783	2,174	56,552
Long-term pension and other postretirement obligations	(2,700)	0	0
Other	(3,611)	(3,653)	(2,305)
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities	199,624	(128,991)	14,605
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment	(90,327)	(135,968)	(179,332)
Purchases of investment securities	(162)	(4,596)	(17,201)
Proceeds from sale or maturity of investment securities	688	15,852	68,100
Proceeds from business dispositions to Swift Pork Company, a subsidiary of JBS USA, LLC	0	13,000	0
Proceeds from business dispositions to JBS Trading International, Inc., a subsidiary of JBS USA, LLC	0	24,479	0
Proceeds from property sales and disposals	29,400	29,044	14,698
Cash used in investing activities	(60,401)	(58,189)	(113,735)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on notes payable to JBS USA	(50,000)	0	0
Proceeds from notes payable to JBS USA	0	50,000	0
Proceeds from revolving line of credit and long-term borrowings	851,400	965,689	2,438,855
Payments on revolving line of credit, long-term borrowings and capital lease obligations	(1,110,711)	(881,833)	(3,197,399)
Proceeds from sale of common stock	198,282	0	800,000
Purchase of remaining interest in joint venture	0	(2,504)	(7,637)
Payment of capitalized loan costs	0	(4,395)	(62,788)
Other financing activities	0	(107)	(511)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(111,029)	126,850	(29,480)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(1,623)	(4,138)	(1,613)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	26,571	(64,468)	(130,223)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	41,609	106,077	236,300
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	68,180	41,609	106,077
Supplemental Disclosure Information:
Interest paid (net of amount capitalized)	96,657	104,430	66,044
Income taxes paid (received)	$ 10,931	$ 3,957	$ (115,974)