CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Dec. 25, 2011
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 8,411,148	$ 8,121,382	$ 7,535,698
Cost of sales	7,565,709	7,685,550	7,675,277
Operational restructuring charges			1,958
Gross profit (loss)	845,439	435,832	(141,537)
Selling, general and administrative expense	180,915	177,041	205,143
Administrative restructuring charges	5,661	8,449	26,911
Operating income (loss)	658,863	250,342	(373,591)
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	87,006	104,926	111,532
Interest income	(2,125)	(1,397)	(1,465)
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains)	4,415	(4,810)	12,601
Miscellaneous, net	(4,373)	(1,439)	(9,133)
Total	573,940	153,062	(487,126)
Income tax expense (benefit)	24,227	(20,980)	8,564
Net income (loss)	549,713	174,042	(495,690)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	158	(192)	1,082
Net income (loss) attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$ 549,555	$ 174,234	$ (496,772)
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding:
Basic	258,826	250,101	224,996
Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents	415	115
Diluted	259,241	250,216	224,996
Net income per share of common stock outstanding:
Basic	$ 2.12	$ 0.70	$ (2.21)
Diluted	$ 2.12	$ 0.70	$ (2.21)