STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

The following tables provide information regarding the changes in these unrealized actuarial losses during the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2013:

	Changes in Unrealized
	Actuarial Losses(a)
	(In thousands)
Balance, beginning of period	$	(68,511	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		10,160
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income		250
Net current period other comprehensive income		10,410
Balance, end of period	$	(58,101	)

(a) All amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits.

Reclassification Adjustments from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

	Amount Reclassified
	from Accumulated
Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Other Comprehensive				Affected Line Item in the Condensed Consolidated
Components	Loss(a)				Statement of Income
	(In thousands)
Amortization of defined benefit pension and other
postretirement plan actuarial losses:
Union Plan(b)	$	(9	)	(d)	Cost of goods sold
Legacy Gold Kist Plans(c)		(241	)	(d)	Selling, general and administrative expense
Total before tax		(250	)
Tax benefit (expense)		—
Total reclassification for the period	$	(250	)		Net of tax

(a)	Amounts in parentheses represent debits to results of operations.
(b)	The Company sponsors the Pilgrim’s Pride Retirement Plan for Union Employees (the “Union Plan”), a qualified defined benefit pension plan covering certain locations or work groups with collective bargaining agreements.
(c)	The Company sponsors the Pilgrim’s Pride Plan for Legacy Gold Kist Employees, a qualified defined benefit pension plan covering certain eligible U.S. employees who were employed at locations that the Company purchased through its acquisition of Gold Kist in 2007, the Former Gold Kist Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, a nonqualified defined benefit retirement plan covering certain former Gold Kist executives, the Former Gold Kist Inc. Directors’ Emeriti Plan, a nonqualified defined benefit retirement plan covering certain former Gold Kist directors , and the Gold Kist Inc. Retiree Life Insurance Plan, a defined benefit postretirement life insurance plan covering certain retired Gold Kist employees (collectively, the “Legacy Gold Kist Plans”).
(d)	These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See “Note 10. Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits” to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.