INCOME TAXES	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	9. INCOME TAXES The Company recorded income tax expense of $18.6 million, a 7.1% effective tax rate, for the twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2013, compared to an income tax benefit of $1.7 million, a (1.6)% effective tax rate, for the twenty-six weeks ended June 24, 2012. The income tax expense recognized for the twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2013 was primarily the result of the tax expense recorded on the Company's year-to-date income, offset by a decrease in valuation allowance as a result of year-to-date earnings. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities (including the impact of available carry back and carry forward periods), projected future taxable income and tax-planning strategies in making this assessment. As of June 30, 2013, the Company does not believe it has sufficient positive evidence to conclude that realization of its federal, state and a portion of its foreign net deferred tax assets is more likely than not to be realized. For the twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2013 and June 24, 2012, there is no tax effect reflected in other comprehensive income because the Company has a valuation allowance. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state or local income tax examinations for years prior to 2008 and is no longer subject to Mexico income tax examinations for years prior to 2008. The Company is currently working with the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") through the normal processes and procedures that are available to all taxpayers outside of bankruptcy to resolve the IRS' proof of claim. In connection with such claim, the Company has filed various petitions in the United States Tax Court ("Tax Court") in response to the Notices of Deficiency that were issued to the Company. On December 12, 2012, the Company entered into two Stipulation of Settled Issues ("Stipulation" or "Stipulations") with the IRS that resolved a portion of the IRS' proof of claim. The Company is still working with the IRS to resolve the portion of the IRS' amended proof of claim relating to the tax year ended June 30, 2004 for Gold Kist Inc. ("Gold Kist"), a company purchased by Pilgrim's in 2007. There has been no significant change in the resolution of the IRS' claim relating to Gold Kist since December 30, 2012. See "Note 15. Commitments and Contingencies" for additional information.

9. INCOME TAXES

The Company recorded income tax expense of $18.6 million, a 7.1% effective tax rate, for the twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2013, compared to an income tax benefit of $1.7 million, a (1.6)% effective tax rate, for the twenty-six weeks ended June 24, 2012. The income tax expense recognized for the twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2013 was primarily the result of the tax expense recorded on the Company's year-to-date income, offset by a decrease in valuation allowance as a result of year-to-date earnings.

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities (including the impact of available carry back and carry forward periods), projected future taxable income and tax-planning strategies in making this assessment. As of June 30, 2013, the Company does not believe it has sufficient positive evidence to conclude that realization of its federal, state and a portion of its foreign net deferred tax assets is more likely than not to be realized.

For the twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2013 and June 24, 2012, there is no tax effect reflected in other comprehensive income because the Company has a valuation allowance.

With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state or local income tax examinations for years prior to 2008 and is no longer subject to Mexico income tax examinations for years prior to 2008.

The Company is currently working with the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") through the normal processes and procedures that are available to all taxpayers outside of bankruptcy to resolve the IRS' proof of claim. In connection with such claim, the Company has filed various petitions in the United States Tax Court ("Tax Court") in response to the Notices of Deficiency that were issued to the Company. On December 12, 2012, the Company entered into two Stipulation of Settled Issues ("Stipulation" or "Stipulations") with the IRS that resolved a portion of the IRS' proof of claim. The Company is still working with the IRS to resolve the portion of the IRS' amended proof of claim relating to the tax year ended June 30, 2004 for Gold Kist Inc. ("Gold Kist"), a company purchased by Pilgrim's in 2007. There has been no significant change in the resolution of the IRS' claim relating to Gold Kist since December 30, 2012. See "Note 15. Commitments and Contingencies" for additional information.