SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	$ 98,187	$ 54,228
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Loss associated with available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(36)
Gains (loss) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax	(5,786)	10,410
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(5,822)	10,410
Comprehensive income	92,365	64,638
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	70	(354)
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	92,295	64,992
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	(31,827)	(44,597)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Loss associated with available-for-sale securities, net of tax
Gains (loss) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Comprehensive income	(31,827)	(44,597)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	(31,827)	(44,597)
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	98,117	54,582
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Loss associated with available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(36)
Gains (loss) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax	(5,786)	10,410
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(5,822)	10,410
Comprehensive income	92,295	64,992
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	92,295	64,992
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	5,064	4,528
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Loss associated with available-for-sale securities, net of tax
Gains (loss) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Comprehensive income	5,064	4,528
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	5,064	4,528
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	26,833	39,715
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Loss associated with available-for-sale securities, net of tax
Gains (loss) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Comprehensive income	26,833	39,715
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	70	(354)
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$ 26,763	$ 40,069