CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 2,142,815	$ 2,068,478	$ 6,363,863	$ 5,931,720
Cost of sales	1,906,242	1,962,343	5,726,348	5,571,431
Gross profit	236,573	106,135	637,515	360,289
Selling, general and administrative expense	43,797	41,782	131,888	131,477
Administrative restructuring charges	3,658	2,647	4,622	5,921
Operating income	189,118	61,706	501,005	222,891
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	20,413	25,260	68,199	78,430
Interest income	(571)	(256)	(1,494)	(886)
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net	2,682	(7,701)	4,771	(5,417)
Miscellaneous, net	(8)	413	(730)	(272)
Income before income taxes	166,602	43,990	430,259	151,036
Income tax expense (benefit)	5,578	1,049	24,216	(656)
Net income	161,024	42,941	406,043	151,692
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	107	10	(161)	230
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$ 160,917	$ 42,931	$ 406,204	$ 151,462
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding:
Basic	258,826	258,726	258,825	247,005
Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents	560	111	341	98
Diluted	259,386	258,837	259,166	247,103
Net income per share of common stock outstanding:
Basic	$ 0.62	$ 0.17	$ 1.57	$ 0.61
Diluted	$ 0.62	$ 0.17	$ 1.57	$ 0.61