CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 2,018,065	$ 2,036,929
Cost of sales	1,802,959	1,918,495
Gross profit	215,106	118,434
Selling, general and administrative expense	45,201	43,992
Administrative restructuring charges	1,713	484
Operating income	168,192	73,958
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	19,473	24,821
Interest income	(811)	(216)
Foreign currency transaction loss (gain)	337	(7,624)
Miscellaneous, net	(1,006)	(5)
Income before income taxes	150,199	56,982
Income tax expense	52,012	2,754
Net income	98,187	54,228
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	70	(354)
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$ 98,117	$ 54,582
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding:
Basic	258,923	258,823
Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents	523	130
Diluted	259,446	258,953
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation per share of common stock outstanding:
Basic	$ 0.38	$ 0.21
Diluted	$ 0.38	$ 0.21