SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 24, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 24, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ 190,791	$ 69,153	$ 245,019	$ 108,751
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax		(5)
Gains (losses) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net	25,391	(11,440)	35,801	(11,025)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	25,391	(11,445)	35,801	(11,025)
Comprehensive income	216,182	57,708	280,820	97,726
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	86	(205)	(268)	220
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	216,096	57,913	281,088	97,506
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	(41,749)	(14,101)	(86,346)	(47,742)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax
Gains (losses) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Comprehensive income	(41,749)	(14,101)	(86,346)	(47,742)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	(41,749)	(14,101)	(86,346)	(47,742)
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	190,705	69,358	245,287	108,531
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax
Gains (losses) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net	25,391	(11,440)	35,801	(11,025)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	25,391	(11,440)	35,801	(11,025)
Comprehensive income	216,096	57,918	281,088	97,506
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	216,096	57,918	281,088	97,506
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	7,592	3,932	12,120	9,505
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax
Gains (losses) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Comprehensive income	7,592	3,932	12,120	9,505
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	7,592	3,932	12,120	9,505
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	34,243	9,964	73,958	38,457
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax		(5)
Gains (losses) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		(5)
Comprehensive income	34,243	9,959	73,958	38,457
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	86	(205)	(268)	220
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$ 34,157	$ 10,164	$ 74,226	$ 38,237