SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
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	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 attributable to noncontrolling interest	107	10	(161)	230
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	160,917	42,931	406,204	151,462
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	(124,852)	(59,048)	(380,546)	(187,614)
Cost of sales	(123,972)	(59,048)	(379,666)	(187,614)
Gross profit	(880)		(880)
Selling, general and administrative expense
Administrative restructuring charges
Operating income	(880)		(880)
Interest expense, net
Interest income
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net
Miscellaneous, net	338	(203)	520	(410)
Income before income taxes	(1,218)	(203)	(1,400)	(410)
Income tax expense (benefit)
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	(1,218)	(203)	(1,400)	(410)
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	(20,643)	(35,459)	(105,532)	(82,994)
Net income	(21,861)	(35,662)	(106,932)	(83,404)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	(21,861)	(35,662)	(106,932)	(83,404)
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	1,889,353	1,809,883	5,538,779	5,192,507
Cost of sales	1,676,605	1,741,370	5,058,584	4,934,941
Gross profit	212,748	68,513	479,195	257,566
Selling, general and administrative expense	36,976	37,172	111,473	116,726
Administrative restructuring charges	3,126	2,647	4,090	5,916
Operating income	172,646	28,694	363,632	134,924
Interest expense, net	20,246	25,464	67,710	78,234
Interest income	(8)	277	(14)	293
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net	(1)	33	(10)	(15)
Miscellaneous, net	(1,508)	348	(5,254)	829
Income before income taxes	153,917	3,888	301,200	57,797
Income tax expense (benefit)	13,643	(3,584)	528	(10,671)
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	140,274	7,472	300,672	68,468
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	20,643	35,459	105,532	82,994
Net income	160,917	42,931	406,204	151,462
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	160,917	42,931	406,204	151,462
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	132,942	71,124	404,360	219,464
Cost of sales	117,753	64,999	366,769	198,081
Gross profit	15,189	6,125	37,591	21,383
Selling, general and administrative expense	1,068		3,187
Administrative restructuring charges
Operating income	14,121	6,125	34,404	21,383
Interest expense, net
Interest income
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net
Miscellaneous, net	1,260	2	3,569	13
Income before income taxes	12,861	6,127	30,835	21,396
Income tax expense (benefit)		2,313	5,764	8,077
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	12,861	3,814	25,071	13,319
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries
Net income	12,861	3,814	25,071	13,319
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	12,861	3,814	25,071	13,319
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	245,372	246,519	801,270	707,363
Cost of sales	235,856	215,022	676,661	626,023
Gross profit	9,516	31,497	121,609	81,340
Selling, general and administrative expense	5,753	4,610	17,228	14,751
Administrative restructuring charges	532		532	5
Operating income	3,231	26,887	103,849	66,584
Interest expense, net	167	(204)	489	196
Interest income	(563)	(21)	(1,480)	593
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net	2,683	7,668	4,781	5,432
Miscellaneous, net	(98)	(560)	435	(160)
Income before income taxes	1,042	34,178	99,624	72,253
Income tax expense (benefit)	(8,065)	2,320	17,924	1,938
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	9,107	31,858	81,700	70,315
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries
Net income	9,107	31,858	81,700	70,315
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	107		(161)	230
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$ 9,000	$ 31,848	$ 81,861	$ 70,085