SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                          Washington, D. C. 20549

                                 FORM 10-Q

           QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF
                    THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                    For quarter ended    JUNE 29, 2002

                     Commission file number    1-9273

                        PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION
          (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

      DELAWARE                                             75-1285071
     (State or other jurisdiction of                 (I.R.S. Employer
     incorporation or organization)               Identification No.)

     110 SOUTH TEXAS, PITTSBURG, TX                        75686-0093
     (Address of principal executive offices)              (Zip code)

                              (903) 855-1000
             (Telephone number of principal executive offices)

                              Not Applicable
 Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last
                                  report.

Indicate  by  check  mark  whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file  such reports), and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes   X    No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding  of  each of the issuer's classes
of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

27,589,250 shares of the Registrant's Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value,
were outstanding as of July 26, 2002.

13,523,429 shares of the Registrant's Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value,
were outstanding as of July 26, 2002.





                                   INDEX

               PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

        Consolidated balance sheets

           June  29, 2002 and September 29, 2001

        Consolidated statements of income

           Three month and nine month periods ended  June 29, 2002 and June
                30, 2001

        Consolidated statements of cash flows

           Nine months ended June 29, 2002 and June 30, 2001

        Notes to consolidated financial statements--June 29, 2002


     Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial  Condition
             and Results of Operations

     Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

     Item 1. Legal Proceedings

     Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

SIGNATURES




                                      3




                        PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) June 29, 2002 SEPTEMBER 29, 2001 ASSETS (in thousands, except share and per share data) Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 7,813 $ 20,916 Trade accounts and other receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts 91,705 95,022 Inventories 331,092 314,400 Other current assets 9,683 12,934 Total Current Assets 440,293 443,272 Other Assets 21,803 20,067 Property, Plant and Equipment: Land 37,356 36,350 Buildings, machinery and equipment 985,311 929,922 Autos and trucks 55,453 53,264 Construction in progress 62,083 71,427 1,140,203 1,090,963 Less accumulated depreciation 383,934 338,607 756,269 752,356 $1,218,365 $ 1,215,695 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Notes payable to banks $ 58,000 $ -- Accounts payable 136,516 151,265 Accrued expenses 82,590 83,558 Current maturities of long-term debt 5,207 5,099 Total Current Liabilities 282,313 239,922 Long-Term Debt, less current maturities 418,064 467,242 Deferred Income Taxes 118,068 126,710 Minority Interest in Subsidiary 2,010 889 Commitments and Contingencies -- -- Stockholders' Equity: Preferred stock, $.01 par value, authorized 5,000,000 shares; none issued -- -- Common stock - Class A, $.01 par value, authorized 100,000,000 shares; 13,794,529 issued and outstanding at June 29, 2002 and September 29, 2001, respectively 138 138 Common stock - Class B, $.01 par value, authorized 60,000,000 shares; 27,589,250 issued and outstanding at June 29, 2002 and September 29, 2001, respectively 276 276 Additional paid-in capital 79,625 79,625 Retained earnings 318,413 302,758 Accumulated and Other Comprehensive Income 1,026 (297) Less treasury stock, 271,100 shares (1,568) (1,568) Total Stockholders' Equity 397,910 380,932 $ 1,218,365 $ 1,215,695 See notes to consolidated financial statements.
PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended June 29, June 30, June 29, June 30, 2002 2001 2002 2001 (in thousands, except share and per share data) Net Sales $637,116 $645,836 $1,893,899 $1,573,461 Costs and Expenses: Cost of sales 590,116 570,211 1,760,404 1,421,454 Selling, general and administrative 32,954 30,139 100,491 88,581 623,070 600,350 1,860,895 1,510,035 Operating income 14,046 45,486 33,004 63,426 Other Expense (Income): Interest expense, net 9,031 10,014 24,866 21,239 Foreign exchange loss/ (gain) 2,269 (602) 1,374 (439) Miscellaneous, net (3,778) 1,751 (3,292) 1,348 7,522 11,163 22,948 22,148 Income before income taxes 6,524 34,323 10,056 41,278 Income tax expense (benefit) 3,258 9,056 (7,453) 13,075 Net income $ 3,266 $ 25,267 $ 17,509 $ 28,203 Net income per common share - basic and diluted $ 0.08 $ 0.62 $ 0.43 $ 0.69 Dividends per common share $ 0.015 $ 0.015 $ 0.045 $ 0.045 Weighted average shares outstanding 41,112,679 41,112,679 41,112,679 41,112,679 See notes to financial statements.
PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) Nine Months Ended June 29, 2002 June 30, 2001 (in thousands) Cash Flows From Operating Activities: Net income $17,509 $28,203 Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 52,859 39,428 Loss on property disposals 227 76 Deferred income taxes (8,642) 4,486 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts and other receivables 3,317 (24,748) Inventories (16,692) (18,167) Prepaid expenses and other current assets 3,251 (2,326) Accounts payable and accrued expenses (15,717) (9,181) Other 2,655 (519) Cash Provided by Operating Activities 38,767 17,252 Investing Activities: Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment(56,430) (87,640) Business acquisitions -- (239,539) Proceeds from property disposals 790 1,622 Other, net (2,923) 3,040 Net Cash Used In Investing Activities (58,563) (322,517) Financing Activities: Borrowing for acquisition -- 285,070 Repayments on WLR Foods, Inc. debt -- (45,531) Proceeds from notes payable to banks 141,500 136,000 Repayments of notes payable to banks (83,500) (82,000) Proceeds from long-term debt 63,101 102,631 Payments on long-term debt (112,171) (108,491) Cash dividends paid (1,854) (1,854) Cash Provided By Financing Activities 7,076 285,825 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (383) 147 Decrease in cash and cash equivalents (13,103) (19,293) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 20,916 28,060 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 7,813 $ 8,767 Supplemental disclosure information: Cash paid during the period for: Interest (net of amount capitalized) $ 22,833 $ 16,262 Income taxes 1,451 6,845
See notes to consolidated financial statements. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) NOTE A--BASIS OF PRESENTATION The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation ("Pilgrim's" or the "Company") have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the period ended June 29, 2002 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended September 28, 2002. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in Pilgrim's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 29, 2001. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Pilgrim's and its wholly and majority owned subsidiaries. Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Total comprehensive income for the three months ending and the nine months ending June 29, 2002 and June 30, 2001 was $4.9 million, $18.8 million and $25.3 million, $27.8 million, respectively. On January 27, 2001, we acquired WLR Foods, Inc. (formerly Nasdaq:WLRF) for approximately $239.5 million and the assumption of approximately $45.5 million of indebtedness. WLR Foods' operations have been included since the acquisition on January 27, 2001. The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting and the purchase price has been allocated based on the estimated fair value of assets and liabilities. Pro Forma Financial Information: The following unaudited pro forma financial information has been presented as if the acquisition of WLR Foods had occurred as of the beginning of the nine months ended June 30, 2001. In addition, certain reclassifications have been made to the WLR Foods historical financial statements to conform to the presentation used by Pilgrim's Pride Corporation.
Nine Months Ended Historical ProForma June 29, 2002 June 30, 2001 (in thousands) Net Sales $1,893,899 $1,837,891 Operating Income 33,004 51,681 Depreciation and Amortization 52,859 48,561 Interest Expense, Net 24,866 30,253 Income Before Tax 10,056 20,384 Net Income $ 17,509 $ 15,457 Net Income Per Common Share - Basic and Diluted $ 0.43 $ 0.37
NOTE B--ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE In 1998 the Company entered into an Asset Sale Agreement to sell up to $60 million of accounts receivable. In connection with the Asset Sale Agreement, the Company sells, on a revolving basis, certain of its trade receivables (the "Pooled Receivables") to a special purpose corporation wholly owned by the Company, which in turn sells a percentage ownership interest to third parties. At June 29, 2002 and September 29, 2001, an interest in these Pooled Receivables of $60.0 million and $58.5 million, respectively, had been sold to third parties and is reflected as a reduction to accounts receivable. The increase in pooled receivable sales from September 29, 2001 is included in cash flows from operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Losses on sales were immaterial. NOTE C--INVENTORIES
Inventories consist of the following: June 29, 2002 September 29, 2001 (in thousands) Chicken: Live chicken and hens $ 101,645 $ 97,073 Feed, eggs and other 69,085 77,970 Finished chicken products 68,914 70,493 239,644 245,536 Turkey: Live turkey and hens 24,975 30,694 Feed, eggs and other 13,979 3,906 Finished turkey products 52,494 34,264 91,448 68,864 Total Inventories $331,092 $314,400
NOTE D--LONG TERM DEBT At June 29, 2002, the Company maintained $130.0 million in revolving credit facilities and $400.0 million in a secured revolving/term borrowing facility. The $400.0 million revolving/term borrowing facility provides for $285.0 million and $115.0 million of 10-year and 7-year commitments, respectively. Borrowings under these facilities are split pro rata between the 10-year and 7-year maturities as they occur. The credit facilities provide for interest at rates ranging from LIBOR plus five-eighths percent to LIBOR plus two and three-quarters percent depending upon the Company's total debt to capitalization ratio. Interest rates on debt outstanding under these facilities at June 29, 2002 ranged from LIBOR plus one and one- quarter percent to LIBOR plus two percent. These facilities are secured by inventory and fixed assets or are unsecured. At June 29, 2002, approximately $28.4 million was available under the revolving credit facilities, borrowing under these facilities, are intended to be paid within one year and are classified as current liabilities and $270.2 million was available under the revolving/term borrowing facility. Annual maturities of long-term debt for the remainder of fiscal 2002 and for the five years subsequent to June 29, 2002 are: 2002 -- $1.3 million; 2003 -- $6.9 million; 2004 -- $14.5 million; 2005 -- $13.9 million; and 2006 -- $52.5 million. NOTE E -- INCOME TAXES Effective January 1, 2002, the Mexican Congress passed the Mexican tax reform (the "Reform") legislation, which eliminated the previous tax exemption under Simplified Regime for the Company's Mexico subsidiaries. The Reform requires the Company's Mexico subsidiaries to calculate and pay taxes under a new simplified regime pursuant to Mexico's income tax laws beginning January 1, 2002, subject to certain transitional provisions. The primary transitional provision was an exit calculation, which generated a net operating loss carryforward for Mexican income tax purposes. As a result of the Reform, the Company recognized a tax benefit of approximately $9.7 million as of January 1, 2002, primarily to reflect the benefit of the net operating loss carryforward for Mexican tax purposes. The additional deferred tax assets and liabilities resulting from the enactment of the Reform effective January 1, 2002 are summarized as follows (in thousands):
Deferred tax liabilities: Tax over book depreciation $ 17,468 Inventory valuation 6,905 Other 5,559 Total deferred tax liabilities 29,932 Deferred tax assets: Mexico net operating losses (47,732) Other (524) Total deferred tax asset (48,256) Less: Valuation allowance 8,613 Net deferred tax (assets) ($ 9,711)
The valuation allowance reflects the portion of the net operating losses attributable to certain of the Company's Mexico subsidiaries that currently do not have significant operations and, accordingly, such losses are expected to expire unutilized. The Mexican tax operating loss carryforwards expire in the years ranging from 2008 through 2012. NOTE F--RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS The major stockholder of the Company owns a chicken growing and an egg laying operation. PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES JUNE 29, 2002 Transactions with related parties are summarized as follows:
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended June 29, June 30, June 29, June 30, 2002 2001 2002 2001 (in thousands) Contract egg grower fees to major stockholder $ -- $ 48 $ 8 $ 1,468 Lease payments on commercial egg property 187 188 563 376 Chick, feed and other sales to major stockholder 425 344 44,485 38,459 Live chicken purchases from major stockholder 126 288 44,299 39,341 Loan guaranty fees 579 811 2,227 1,245 Lease payments on airplane 145 164 469 465
On December 29, 2000 the Company entered into an agreement to lease a commercial egg property and assume all of the ongoing costs of the operation from the Company's major stockholder. The Company had previously purchased the eggs produced from this operation pursuant to a contract grower agreement. The lease term runs for ten years with a monthly lease payment of $62,500. The Company has an option to extend the lease for an additional five years, with an option at the end of the lease to purchase the property at fair market value as determined by an independent appraisal. The Company had accounts receivable of approximately $0.1 million at June 29, 2002 from its major stockholder and related parties. Additionally, the Company had $0.1 million at June 29, 2002 in notes receivable from other officers of the Company. NOTE G--CONTINGENCIES In January of 1998, seventeen of our current and/or former employees filed the case of "Octavius Anderson, et al. v. Pilgrim's Pride Corporation" in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Lufkin Division claiming Pilgrim's Pride violated requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The suit alleged Pilgrim's Pride failed to pay employees for all hours worked. The suit generally alleged that (1) employees should be paid for time spent to put on, take off, and clean certain personal gear at the beginning and end of their shifts and breaks and (2) the use of a master time card or production "line" time fails to pay employees for all time actually worked. Plaintiffs sought to recover unpaid wages plus liquidated damages and legal fees. Approximately 1,700 consents to join as plaintiffs were filed with the court by current and/or former employees. During the week of March 5, 2001, the case was tried in the Federal Court of the Eastern District of Texas, Lufkin, Texas. The Company prevailed at the trial with a judgment issued by the judge, which found no evidence presented to support the plaintiffs' allegations. The plaintiffs filed an appeal in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse the judge's decision. The plaintiff's brief was submitted to the court on November 5, 2001. Pilgrim's Pride's response to the plaintiff's brief to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals was submitted on December 5, 2001. The Fifth Circuit heard oral arguments in this matter on June 4, 2002. On June 6, 2002 the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals entered a per curiam opinion affirming the opinion of the trial court. Appellants did not file any motion for a rehearing and the time for filing of such a motion has passed. In August of 2000, four of our current and/or former employees filed the case of "Betty Kennell, et al. v. Wampler Foods, Inc." in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, claiming we violated requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The suit generally makes the same allegations as Anderson v. Pilgrim's Pride discussed above. Plaintiffs seek to recover unpaid wages plus liquidated damages and legal fees. Approximately 150 consents to join as plaintiffs were filed with the court by current and/or former employees. No trial date has been set. To date, only limited discovery has been performed. Neither the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome nor the amount of ultimate liability, if any, with respect to this case can be determined at this time. We do not expect this matter, individually or collectively, to have a material impact on our financial position, operations or liquidity. On August 20, 1999, the former WLR Foods brought legal action as a plaintiff in an antitrust lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. alleging a world-wide conspiracy by approximately 34 named defendants to control production capacity and raise prices of common vitamins such as A, B-4, C, and E. The Company, as successor to WLR Foods in this suit, received $8.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2002 in partial settlement of its claims, $3.3 million of which was recorded by the Company as a component of "Other Expense (Income): Miscellaneous, Net" in the third quarter of fiscal 2002 as the recovery amount received during the period exceeded the $5.2 million recovery amount recorded at the time of the acquisition of WLR Foods. The initial estimate of the amount that would be recovered under the WLR Foods claims was based on the ratio of recoveries to vitamin purchases, that was inherent in similar claims settled by the Company in fiscal 2001 on substantially similar claims. To date, claims related to approximately one-third of the WLR Foods affected vitamin purchases have been settled by or on behalf of the former WLR Foods netting the approximately $10.0 million to the former WLR Foods and/or the Company. No assurances can be made regarding the likelihood or timing of future settlements or whether or not future recoveries, if any, will be proportionally less than, equal to or greater than these previous recovery amounts. AS DESCRIBED IN "MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS", THE COMPANY HAS INCURRED AND EXPECTS TO INCUR SIGNIFICANT LOSSES ASSOCIATED WITH THE OUTBREAK OF LOW-PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA, A DISEASE CONTAGIOUS TO TURKEY, CHICKEN AND OTHER BIRDS, WAS DISCOVERED IN VIRGINIA DURING THE SECOND AND THIRD QUARTERS OF FISCAL 2002. ON JUNE 19, 2002, U.S. SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE ANN VENEMAN PROPOSED TO THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET THAT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE COVER ONE-HALF, OR AN ESTIMATED $69.2 MILLION, OF THE TOTAL ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSS SUFFERED BY THE POULTRY INDUSTRY AND INDEPENDENT GROWERS IN VIRGINIA DUE TO THE AVIAN INFLUENZA OUTBREAK. SECRETARY VENEMAN ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF VIRGINIA COVER THE REMAINING PORTION. IT IS OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT, AS PART OF HER PROPOSAL SECRETARY VENEMAN IS SUGGESTING THAT INDEPENDENT CHICKEN AND TURKEY GROWERS WILL BE FULLY COMPENSATED FOR THEIR LOSSES FIRST AND THAT THE REMAINDER IS TO BE ALLOCATED TO OTHER POULTRY PRODUCERS (INCLUDING THE COMPANY) WHOSE FLOCKS WERE DESTROYED BY THE VIRUS. THE COMPANY ESTIMATES THAT APPROXIMATELY 5- 7% OF THE TOTAL ECONOMIC LOSS SUFFERED BY THE INDUSTRY WAS BORNE BY INDEPENDENT CHICKEN AND TURKEY GROWERS. NO ASSURANCE CAN BE GIVEN THAT ANY OF THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL OR STATE AGENCIES WILL IN FACT PROVIDE ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO THE POULTRY GROWERS AND PRODUCERS AFFECTED BY THE AVIAN INFLUENZA OUTBREAK IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, NOR CAN WE ESTIMATE WHEN, IF EVER, SUCH ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE AFFECTED PARTIES. NO ANTICIPATED RECOVERIES HAVE BEEN RECORDED BY THE COMPANY. IN THE EVENT THAT FEDERAL AND/OR STATE AGENCIES DO DECIDE TO GRANT ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO THE AFFECTED POULTRY GROWERS AND PRODUCERS, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE AT THIS TIME TO ESTIMATE HOW THE FEDERAL AND/OR STATE AGENCIES WILL ALLOCATE ANY SUCH ASSISTANCE BETWEEN AFFECTED POULTRY GROWERS AND PRODUCERS WHOSE FLOCKS WERE DESTROYED BY THE VIRUS. NOTE H--BUSINESS SEGMENTS Since the acquisition of WLR Foods on January 27, 2001, the Company operates in two reportable business segments as (1) a producer of chicken and other products and (2) a producer of turkey products. The Company's chicken and other products segment primarily includes sales of chicken products the Company produces and purchases for resale in the United States and Mexico, and also includes table eggs and feed. The Company's chicken and other products segment conducts separate operations in the United States and Mexico and is reported as two separate geographical areas. The Company's turkey segment includes sales of turkey products produced in our turkey operation recently acquired from WLR Foods, whose operations are exclusively in the United States. Inter-area sales and inter-segment sales, which are not material, are accounted for at prices comparable to normal trade customer sales. Corporate assets and expenses are included with chicken and other products. The following table presents certain information regarding the Company's segments:
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended JUNE 29, JUNE 30, JUNE 29, JUNE 30, 2002 2001* 2002 2001 (in thousands) Net Sales to Customers: Chicken and Other Products: United States $ 476,232 $ 468,704 $1,373,859 $1,179,165 Mexico 84,805 89,752 256,097 244,076 Sub-total 561,037 558,456 1,629,956 1,423,241 Turkey 76,079 87,380 263,943 150,220 Total $ 637,116 $ 645,836 $1,893,899 $1,573,461 Operating Income(Loss): Chicken and Other Products: United States $ 13,829 $ 27,971 $ 28,156 $ 50,398 Mexico 5,831 13,766 13,788 11,145 Sub-total 19,660 41,737 41,944 61,543 Turkey (5,614) 3,749 (8,940) 1,883 Total $ 14,046 $ 45,486 $ 33,004 $ 63,426 Depreciation and Amortization: Chicken and Other Products: Unite States $ 11,896 $ 13,275 $ 35,240 $ 26,790 Mexico 3,395 3,123 10,189 8,864 Sub-total 15,291 16,398 45,429 35,654 Turkey 2,523 2,210 7,430 3,774 Total $ 17,814 $ 18,608 $ 52,859 $ 39,428 * In 2001, the Company identified certain products produced by the former WLR Foods that were included in United States Chicken and Other Products net sales but were more properly classified as Turkey Net Sales. As a result, $8.6 million has been reclassified from United States Chicken and Other Products net sales to Turkey Net Sales for the three months ended June 30, 2001. Additionally, $2.1 million has been reclassified from United States Chicken and Other Products operating income to Turkey operating income to properly reflect operating income after the reclassification of the net sales for the three months ended June 30, 2001.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS GENERAL Profitability in the poultry industry is materially affected by the commodity prices of feed ingredients, chicken and turkey, which are determined by supply and demand factors. As a result, the chicken and turkey industries are subject to cyclical earnings fluctuations. Cyclical earnings fluctuations can be mitigated somewhat by: * Business strategy; * Product mix; * Sales and marketing plans; and * Operating efficiencies. In an effort to reduce price volatility and to generate higher, more consistent profit margins, we have concentrated on the production and marketing of prepared foods products. Prepared foods products generally have higher profit margins than our other products. Also, the production and sale in the U.S. of prepared foods products reduce the impact of the costs of feed ingredients on our profitability. Feed ingredient purchases are the single largest component of our cost of goods sold, representing approximately 29.9% of our consolidated cost of goods sold in fiscal 2001. The production of feed ingredients is positively or negatively affected primarily by weather patterns throughout the world, the global level of supply inventories and demand for feed ingredients, and the agricultural policies of the United States and foreign governments. As further processing is performed, feed ingredient costs become a decreasing percentage of a product's total production cost, thereby reducing their impact on our profitability. Products sold in this form enable us to charge a premium, reduce the impact of feed ingredient costs on our profitability and improve and stabilize our profit margins. The following table presents certain information regarding our segments:
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended JUNE 29, JUNE 30, JUNE 29, JUNE 30, 2002 2001* 2002 2001 (in thousands) Net Sales to Customers: Chicken and Other Products: United States $ 476,232 $ 468,704 $1,373,859 $1,179,165 Mexico 84,805 89,752 256,097 244,076 Sub-total 561,037 558,456 1,629,956 1,423,241 Turkey 76,079 87,380 263,943 150,220 Total $ 637,116 $ 645,836 $1,893,899 $1,573,461 Operating Income(Loss): Chicken and Other Products: United States $ 13,829 $ 27,971 $ 28,156 $ 50,398 Mexico 5,831 13,766 13,788 11,145 Sub-total 19,660 41,737 41,944 61,543 Turkey (5,614) 3,749 (8,940) 1,883 Total $ 14,046 $ 45,486 $ 33,004 $ 63,426 Depreciation and Amortization: Chicken and Other Products: Unite States $ 11,896 $ 13,275 $ 35,240 $ 26,790 Mexico 3,395 3,123 10,189 8,864 Sub-total 15,291 16,398 45,429 35,654 Turkey 2,523 2,210 7,430 3,774 Total $ 17,814 $ 18,608 $ 52,859 $ 39,428 * In 2001, the Company identified certain products produced by the former WLR Foods that were included in United States Chicken and Other Products net sales but were more properly classified as Turkey Net Sales. As a result, $8.6 million has been reclassified from United States Chicken and Other Products net sales to Turkey Net Sales for the three months ended June 30, 2001. Additionally, $2.1 million has been reclassified from United States Chicken and Other Products operating income to Turkey operating income to properly reflect operating income after the reclassification of the net sales for the three months ended June 30, 2001.
The following table presents certain items as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated.
Percentage of Net Sales Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended June 29, June 30, June 29, June 30, 2002 2001 2002 2001 Net Sales 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % 100.0 % Costs and Expenses: Cost of sales 92.6 88.3 93.0 90.3 Gross profit 7.4 11.7 7.0 9.7 Selling, general and administrative 5.2 4.7 5.3 5.6 Operating Income 2.2 7.0 1.7 4.0 Interest Expense 1.4 1.6 1.3 1.3 Income before Income Taxes 1.0 5.3 0.5 2.6 Net Income 0.5 3.9 0.9 1.8
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS On January 27, 2001, we completed the acquisition of WLR Foods, a vertically integrated producer of chicken and turkey products located in the eastern United States. Accordingly, the results of the former WLR Foods' operations are included in our third quarter ended and first nine months ended June 29, 2002. In the prior fiscal year, WLR Foods' results are included in our third quarter ended June 29, 2002 from and after January 27, 2001 are included in our first nine months ended June 29, 2001. ON MARCH 12, 2002 AN OUTBREAK OF LOW-PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA, A DISEASE CONTAGIOUS TO TURKEY, CHICKEN AND OTHER BIRDS, WAS DISCOVERED IN VIRGINIA. DURING THE SECOND AND THIRD QUARTERS OF FISCAL 2002, WE ESTIMATE THAT OUR OPERATING INCOME HAS BEEN NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BY APPROXIMATELY $5.5 MILLION AND $14.9 MILLION, RESPECTIVELY, DUE TO THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF THE AVIAN INFLUENZA. AS OF JUNE 29, 2002, POULTRY GROWERS AND PRODUCERS HAVE DESTROYED APPROXIMATELY 4.7 MILLION HEAD OF POULTRY AFFECTED AS A RESULT OF THE VIRUS. TURKEYS REPRESENT APPROXIMATELY 70.0% OF THE DESTROYED POULTRY, WITH CHICKENS REPRESENTED BY APPROXIMATELY 30.0%. APPROXIMATELY ONE-HALF OF THE TURKEYS AND APPROXIMATELY THREE-QUARTERS OF THE CHICKENS DESTROYED BY THE POULTRY INDUSTRY IN VIRGINIA BELONGED TO THE COMPANY. NO NEW FLOCKS HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE PRESENCE OF AVIAN INFLUENZA IN VIRGINIA SINCE JULY 2, 2002. ASSUMING THE OUTBREAK OF AVIAN INFLUENZA HAS BEEN CONTAINED, WE CURRENTLY ESTIMATE THAT PRODUCTION IN OUR TURKEY OPERATION WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED OVER THE NEXT NINE MONTHS DUE TO THE VIRUS. AS A RESULT OF THE LOWER PRODUCTION IN OUR TURKEY OPERATION, WE ANTICIPATE THAT OPERATING INCOME FROM OUR TURKEY OPERATION WILL DECREASE BY AN ESTIMATED $6.0 TO $8.0 MILLION, IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF FISCAL 2002, WHEN COMPARED TO THE SAME PERIOD IN FISCAL 2001. FURTHERMORE, WE ANTICIPATE THAT OPERATING INCOME FROM OUR TURKEY OPERATION FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF FISCAL 2003 WILL DECREASE BY APPROXIMATELY $8.0 TO $14.0 MILLION, WHEN COMPARED TO THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF FISCAL 2002. ON JUNE 19, 2002, U.S. SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE ANN VENEMAN PROPOSED TO THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET THAT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE COVER ONE-HALF, OR AN ESTIMATED $69.2 MILLION OF THE TOTAL ESTIMATED ECONOMIC LOSS SUFFERED BY THE POULTRY INDUSTRY AND INDEPENDENT GROWERS IN VIRGINIA DUE TO THE AVIAN INFLUENZA OUTBREAK. SECRETARY VENEMAN ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF VIRGINIA COVER THE REMAINING PORTION. IT IS OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT, AS PART OF HER PROPOSAL SECRETARY VENEMAN IS SUGGESTING THAT INDEPENDENT CHICKEN AND TURKEY GROWERS WILL BE FULLY COMPENSATED FOR THEIR LOSSES FIRST AND THAT THE REMAINDER IS TO BE ALLOCATED TO OTHER POULTRY PRODUCERS (INCLUDING THE COMPANY) WHOSE FLOCKS WERE DESTROYED BY THE VIRUS. THE COMPANY ESTIMATES THAT APPROXIMATELY 5- 7% OF THE TOTAL ECONOMIC LOSS SUFFERED BY THE INDUSTRY WERE BORNE BY THESE INDEPENDENT CHICKEN AND TURKEY GROWERS. NO ASSURANCE CAN BE GIVEN THAT ANY OF THE UNITED STATES FEDERAL OR STATE AGENCIES WILL IN FACT PROVIDE ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO THE POULTRY GROWERS AND PRODUCERS AFFECTED BY THE AVIAN INFLUENZA OUTBREAK IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, NOR CAN WE ESTIMATE WHEN, IF EVER, SUCH ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE AFFECTED PARTIES. NO ANTICIPATED RECOVERIES HAVE BEEN RECORDED BY THE COMPANY. IN THE EVENT THAT FEDERAL AND/OR STATE AGENCIES DO DECIDE TO GRANT ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TO THE AFFECTED POULTRY GROWERS AND PRODUCERS, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE AT THIS TIME TO ESTIMATE HOW THE FEDERAL AND/OR STATE AGENCIES WILL ALLOCATE ANY SUCH ASSISTANCE BETWEEN AFFECTED POULTRY GROWERS AND PRODUCERS WHOSE FLOCKS WERE DESTROYED BY THE VIRUS. Consolidated net income before tax is affected by foreign exchange rate fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and the Mexican peso. In the third quarter of fiscal 2002 the devaluation of the Mexican peso in relation to the U.S. dollar had a negative impact on our consolidated income before tax of approximately $5.5 million, which includes a $2.1 million reduction in operating income, a $2.3 million in a translation cost and a $1.1 million devaluation of inventories. Additionally, assuming the peso exchange rate does not change from the rate at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2002, approximately $1.9 million of future devaluation will result as remaining inventory is sold. On March 29, 2002, the Mexican peso closed at 9.02 to 1 U.S. dollar, compared to 9.97 to 1 U.S. dollar on June 28, 2002, and at 9.68 to 1 U.S. dollar on July 25, 2002. No assurances can be given as to how future movements in the peso could affect our future earnings. FISCAL THIRD QUARTER 2002 COMPARED TO FISCAL THIRD QUARTER 2001 CONSOLIDATED NET SALES. Consolidated net sales were $637.1 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2002, a decrease of $8.7 million, or 1.4%, from the third quarter of fiscal 2001. The decrease in consolidated net sales resulted from an $11.3 million decrease in turkey sales to $76.1 million and a $4.9 million decrease in Mexico chicken sales to $84.8 million partially offset by a $4.9 million increase in sales of other U.S. products to $50.6 million and by a $2.6 million increase in U.S. chicken sales to $425.6 million. The decrease in turkey sales was primarily due to an 8.0% decrease in total revenue per dressed pound produced and a 5.4% decrease in dressed pounds produced, both of which were affected by the avian influenza outbreak late in the second quarter of fiscal 2002, discussed above. The decrease in Mexico sales was primarily due to a 4.7% decrease in total revenue per dressed pound produced and a 0.9% decrease in dressed pounds produced. U.S. chicken net sales were also negatively affected by lower dark meat sales prices in the U.S. caused in part by import restrictions of products typically sold to Russia and Japan. COST OF SALES. Consolidated cost of sales was $590.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2002, an increase of $19.9 million, or 3.5%, compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2001. The U.S. operations accounted for $17.1 million of the increase in the cost of sales and $2.8 million of the increase resulted from our Mexico operations. The $17.1 million cost of sales increase in our U.S. operations was due to a 5.4% increase in dressed pounds produced and to a 4.5% increase in average cost of sales per dressed pound primarily resulting from increased sales of higher cost prepared foods products and by a $1.1 million write down in live-chicken inventory infected by avian influenza. The increases were partially offset by a $7.3 million decrease in our turkey cost of sales primarily resulting from lower turkey sales volumes and increased production and storage of turkey inventories for the Thanksgiving holiday season attributed to product mix changes in response to the avian influenza outbreak, offset by a $9.7 million increase in turkey cost of sales related to inventory write downs of infected flocks and higher costs related to the management of the virus. The $2.8 million increase in cost of sales in our Mexico operations was primarily due to a 5.0% increase in average cost of sales per dressed pound offset by a slight decrease in dressed pounds produced. GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit was $47.0 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2002, a decrease of $28.6 million, or 37.8%, over the same period last year. Gross profit as a percentage of sales decreased to 7.4% in the third quarter of fiscal 2002, from 11.7% in the third quarter of fiscal 2001 due primarily to the negative effects of the avian influenza outbreak in our Eastern Division and to lower dark meat sales prices in the U.S. caused in part by import restrictions on products typically sold to Russia and Japan. SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses were $33.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2002 and $30.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2001. Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales increased in the third quarter of fiscal 2002 to 5.2%, compared to 4.7% in the third quarter of fiscal 2001, due primarily to an increase in selling and administrative expense resulting from higher sales volume. OPERATING INCOME. Consolidated operating income was $14.0 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2002, decreasing by approximately $31.4 million, when compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2001 due primarily to the negative effects of the avian influenza outbreak in our Eastern Division and to lower dark meat sales prices in the U.S. caused in part by import restrictions on products typically sold to Russia and Japan. INTEREST EXPENSE. Consolidated net interest expense decreased 9.8% to $9.0 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2002, when compared to $10.0 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2001, due primarily to lower average outstanding debt balances experienced in the quarter. INCOME TAX EXPENSE. Consolidated income tax expense in the third quarter of fiscal 2002 decreased to $3.3 million, compared to $9.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2001. This decrease in income tax expense resulted primarily from lower earnings in the U.S. and Mexico. The effective tax rate for the third quarter ended June 29, 2002 was 49.9%, which resulted primarily from the nondeductible foreign currency exchange losses realized during the quarter. FIRST NINE MONTHS OF FISCAL 2002 COMPARED TO FIRST NINE MONTHS OF FISCAL 2001 CONSOLIDATED NET SALES. Consolidated net sales were $1.9 billion for the first nine months of fiscal 2002, an increase of $320.4 million, or 20.4%, from the first nine months of fiscal 2001. The increase in consolidated net sales resulted from a $178.8 million increase in U.S. chicken sales to $1.2 billion, a $113.7 million increase in turkey sales to $263.9 million, a $12.0 million increase in Mexico chicken sales to $256.1 million and a $15.9 million increase in sales of other U.S. products to $149.9 million. The increase in U.S. chicken sales was primarily due to a 21.6% increase in dressed pounds produced, which resulted primarily from the acquisition of WLR Foods on January 27, 2001 (resulting in only five months of these operations being included in the Company's same period last year,) offset partially by a 3.7% decrease in total revenue per dressed pound produced. The increase in turkey sales was due to the inclusion of nine months of results in fiscal 2002 as opposed to five months results for the same period last year as a result of the acquisition of WLR Foods. The $12.0 million increase in Mexico chicken sales was primarily due to a 4.9% increase in average revenue per dressed pound produced offset partially by a 0.4% decrease in dressed pounds produced. The $15.9 million increase in sales of other U.S. products was primarily due to poultry by-products sales price increases, an increase in sales by the Company's wholesale feed division and the acquisition of WLR Foods. COST OF SALES. Consolidated cost of sales was $1.8 billion in the first nine months of fiscal 2002, an increase of $339.0 million, or 23.8% when compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2001. The U.S. operations accounted for $332.8 million of the increase in the cost of sales and our Mexico operations accounted for $6.2 million of the increase. The cost of sales increase in our U.S. operations of $332.8 million was due primarily to the acquisition of WLR Foods, $113.6 million of which is related to the turkey operations. The increase was partially offset by a decrease in our turkey cost of sales resulting from lower sales volumes due to the impact of avian influenza on our turkey operations as previously discussed and increased production and storage of turkey inventories for the Thanksgiving holiday season attributed to product mix changes in response to the avian influenza outbreak, offset by a $15.2 million increase in turkey cost of sales related to inventory write downs of infected flocks and higher costs related to the management of the virus. The increase in cost of sales of chicken products also resulted from increased sales of higher cost prepared foods products. The $6.2 million cost of sales increase in our Mexico operations was primarily due to a 2.9% increase in average cost of sales per pound produced. GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit was $133.5 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2002, a decrease of $18.5 million, or 12.2%, over the same period last year, due primarily to the negative effects of the avian influenza outbreak in our Eastern Division. Gross profit as a percentage of sales decreased to 7.0% in the first nine months of fiscal 2002, from 9.7% in the first nine months of fiscal 2001, primarily due to increased operating expenses incurred in connection with the avian influenza outbreak in our Eastern Division. SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses were $100.5 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2002 and $88.6 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2001. The $11.9 million increase was due primarily to the acquisition of WLR Foods which was completed on January 27, 2001. Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales decreased in the first nine months of fiscal 2002 to 5.3%, compared to 5.6% in the first nine months of fiscal 2001, due primarily to synergies resulting from the WLR Foods acquisition. OPERATING INCOME. Consolidated operating income was $33.0 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2002, decreasing by approximately $30.4 million, when compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2001 primarily due to the effects of the avian influenza outbreak in the company's Eastern Division. INTEREST EXPENSE. Consolidated net interest expense increased 17.1% to $24.9 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2002, when compared to $21.2 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2001, due to higher average outstanding balances resulting primarily from the acquisition of WLR Foods, Inc. on January 27, 2001, offset partially by lower average interest rates. INCOME TAX EXPENSE. Consolidated income tax benefit in the first nine months of fiscal 2002 was $7.5 million compared to an income tax expense of $13.1 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2001. This decrease was a result of a $9.7 million income tax benefit resulting from changes in the Mexico tax laws and from lower pre-tax earnings. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES WE MAINTAIN $130.0 MILLION IN REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITIES AND $400.0 MILLION IN A SECURED REVOLVING/TERM BORROWING FACILITY. THE $400.0 MILLION REVOLVING/TERM BORROWING FACILITY PROVIDES FOR $285.0 MILLION AND $115.0 MILLION OF 10-YEAR AND 7-YEAR COMMITMENTS, RESPECTIVELY. BORROWINGS UNDER THIS FACILITY ARE SPLIT PRO RATA BETWEEN THE 10-YEAR AND 7-YEAR MATURITIES AS THEY OCCUR. THE CREDIT FACILITIES PROVIDE FOR INTEREST AT RATES RANGING FROM LIBOR PLUS FIVE-EIGHTHS PERCENT TO LIBOR PLUS TWO AND THREE-QUARTERS PERCENT, DEPENDING UPON OUR TOTAL DEBT TO CAPITALIZATION RATIO. INTEREST RATES ON DEBT OUTSTANDING UNDER THESE FACILITIES AS OF JUNE 29, 2002 RANGED FROM LIBOR PLUS ONE AND ONE-QUARTER PERCENT TO LIBOR PLUS TWO PERCENT. THESE FACILITIES ARE SECURED BY INVENTORY AND FIXED ASSETS. AT JUNE 29, 2002, $28.4 MILLION WAS AVAILABLE UNDER THE REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITIES AND $270.2 MILLION WAS AVAILABLE UNDER THE REVOLVING/TERM BORROWING FACILITY. IN 1998, WE ENTERED INTO AN ASSET SALE AGREEMENT TO SELL UP TO $60 MILLION OF ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, WHICH AGREEMENT EXPIRES IN JUNE 2003. IN CONNECTION WITH THE ASSET SALE AGREEMENT, WE SELL, ON A REVOLVING BASIS, CERTAIN OF OUR TRADE RECEIVABLES (THE "POOLED RECEIVABLES") TO A SPECIAL PURPOSE CORPORATION WHOLLY OWNED BY US, WHICH IN TURN SELLS A PERCENTAGE OWNERSHIP INTEREST TO THIRD PARTIES. AT JUNE 29, 2002 AND SEPTEMBER 29, 2001, AN INTEREST IN THESE POOLED RECEIVABLES OF $60.0 MILLION AND $58.5 MILLION, RESPECTIVELY, HAD BEEN SOLD TO THIRD PARTIES AND IS REFLECTED AS A REDUCTION IN ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE. THESE TRANSACTIONS HAVE BEEN RECORDED AS SALES IN ACCORDANCE WITH FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING STANDARDS BOARD STATEMENT NO. 140, ACCOUNTING FOR TRANSFERS AND SERVICING OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND EXTINGUISHMENTS OF LIABILITIES. THE INCREASE IN POOLED RECEIVABLE SALES FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2001 IS INCLUDED IN CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES IN OUR CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS. LOSSES ON THESE SALES WERE IMMATERIAL. ON JUNE 29, 1999, THE CAMP COUNTY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ISSUED $25.0 MILLION OF VARIABLE-RATE ENVIRONMENTAL FACILITIES REVENUE BONDS SUPPORTED BY LETTERS OF CREDIT OBTAINED BY PILGRIM'S PRIDE. WE MAY DRAW FROM THESE PROCEEDS OVER THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD FOR NEW SEWAGE AND SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES AT A POULTRY BY-PRODUCTS PLANT TO BE BUILT IN CAMP COUNTY, TEXAS. WE ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BORROW THE FULL AMOUNT OF THE PROCEEDS FROM THE BONDS. ALL AMOUNTS BORROWED FROM THESE FUNDS WILL BE DUE IN 2029. THE AMOUNTS THAT WE BORROW WILL BE REFLECTED AS DEBT WHEN RECEIVED FROM THE CAMP COUNTY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION. THE INTEREST RATES ON AMOUNTS BORROWED WILL CLOSELY FOLLOW THE TAX-EXEMPT COMMERCIAL PAPER RATES. PRESENTLY, THERE ARE NO BORROWINGS OUTSTANDING UNDER THE BONDS. AT JUNE 29, 2002, OUR WORKING CAPITAL DECREASED TO $158.0 MILLION AND OUR CURRENT RATIO DECREASED TO 1.56 TO 1, COMPARED WITH WORKING CAPITAL OF $203.4 MILLION AND A CURRENT RATIO OF 1.85 TO 1 AT SEPTEMBER 29, 2001, PRIMARILY DUE TO INCREASED SHORT TERM BORROWINGS. TRADE ACCOUNTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES WERE $91.7 MILLION AT JUNE 29, 2002, COMPARED TO $95.0 MILLION AT SEPTEMBER 29, 2001. THE 3.5% DECREASE IN TRADE ACCOUNTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES WAS PRIMARILY DUE TO NORMAL SEASONAL VARIATIONS. EXCLUDING THE SALE OF RECEIVABLES, TRADE ACCOUNTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES WOULD HAVE DECREASED $1.8 MILLION TO $151.7 MILLION AT THE END OF THE THIRD QUARTER OF FISCAL 2002 FROM $153.5 MILLION AT THE END OF FISCAL 2001. INVENTORIES WERE $331.1 MILLION AT JUNE 29, 2002, COMPARED TO $314.4 MILLION AT SEPTEMBER 29, 2001. THE $16.7 MILLION, OR 5.3%, INCREASE IN INVENTORIES WAS PRIMARILY DUE TO INCREASES IN FINISHED TURKEY PRODUCTS INVENTORIES RELATING TO EXPECTED INCREASES IN SALES OF TURKEY PRODUCTS DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON. ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES DECREASED $15.7 MILLION TO $219.1 MILLION AT JUNE 29, 2002, COMPARED TO $234.8 MILLION AT SEPTEMBER 29, 2001 DUE TO SEASONAL VARIATIONS. CAPITAL EXPENDITURES OF $56.4 MILLION AND $87.6 MILLION, FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 29, 2002 AND JUNE 30, 2001, RESPECTIVELY, WERE INCURRED PRIMARILY TO ACQUIRE AND EXPAND CERTAIN FACILITIES, IMPROVE EFFICIENCIES, REDUCE COSTS AND FOR THE ROUTINE REPLACEMENT OF EQUIPMENT. WE ANTICIPATE SPENDING APPROXIMATELY $75.0 MILLION IN FISCAL 2002 TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCIES AND FOR THE ROUTINE REPLACEMENT OF EQUIPMENT. WE EXPECT TO FINANCE SUCH EXPENDITURES WITH AVAILABLE OPERATING CASH FLOWS AND EXISTING CREDIT FACILITIES. CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES WERE $38.8 MILLION AND $17.3 MILLION FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 29, 2002 AND JUNE 30, 2001, RESPECTIVELY. THE INCREASE IN CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES IN THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF FISCAL 2002 COMPARED TO THE FIRST NINE MONTHS OF FISCAL 2001 WAS PRIMARILY DUE TO INCREASED DEPRECIATION FROM THE WLR FOODS ACQUISITION AND DECREASED TRADE ACCOUNTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES FROM OUR IMPROVED COLLECTIONS OF THE WLR FOODS ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE. CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES WERE $7.1 MILLION AND $285.8 MILLION FOR THE NINE MONTH PERIODS ENDED JUNE 29, 2002 AND JUNE 30, 2001, RESPECTIVELY. THE CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES PRIMARILY REFLECTS NET OF BORROWINGS. DURING THE NINE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2001 THE COMPANY PURCHASED WLR FOODS. USING $239.9 MILLION IN BORROWINGS TO COMPLETE THE ACQUISITION. ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK FOREIGN CURRENCY Our earnings are affected by foreign exchange rate fluctuations related to the Mexican peso net monetary position of our Mexico subsidiaries. We manage this exposure primarily by attempting to minimize our Mexican peso net monetary position, but from time to time we have also considered executing hedges to help minimize this exposure. Such instruments, however, have historically not been economically feasible. We are also exposed to the effect of potential exchange rate fluctuations to the extent that amounts are repatriated from Mexico to the United States. However, we currently anticipate that the cash flows of our Mexico subsidiaries will continue to be reinvested in our Mexico operations. In addition, the Mexican peso exchange rate can directly and indirectly impact our results of operations and financial position in several ways, including potential economic recession in Mexico resulting from a devalued peso. See "Item 1. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition of Operations - Results of Operations". The impact on our financial position and results of operations resulting from a hypothetical change in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Mexican peso cannot be reasonably estimated. Foreign currency exchange gains and losses, representing the change in the U.S. dollar value of the net monetary assets of our Mexico subsidiaries denominated in Mexican pesos, was a loss of $1.4 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2002 compared to a gain of $0.4 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2001. On July 25, 2002, the Mexican peso closed at 9.68 to 1 U.S. dollar, compared to 9.54 at September 29, 2001. No assurance can be given as to how future movements in the peso could affect our future earnings. There have been no material changes from the information provided in Item 7A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 29, 2001, other than foreign currency. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS Statements of our intentions, beliefs, expectations or predictions for the future, denoted by the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "project", "imply", "intend", "foresee" and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements that reflect our current views about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Such risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the following: * Matters affecting the poultry industry generally, including fluctuations in the commodity prices of feed ingredients, chicken and turkey; * Disease outbreaks affecting the production performance and/or marketability of the Company's poultry products; * Management of our cash resources, particularly in light of our substantial leverage; * Restrictions imposed by, and as a result of, our substantial leverage; * Currency exchange rate fluctuations, trade barriers, exchange controls, expropriation and other risks associated with foreign operations; * Changes in laws or regulations affecting our operations, as well as competitive factors and pricing pressures; * Inability to effectively integrate WLR Foods or realize the associated cost savings and operating synergies currently anticipated; and * The impact of uncertainties of litigation as well as other risks described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements as a result of these factors, among others, many of which are beyond our control. PART II. OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS In January of 1998, seventeen of our current and/or former employees filed the case of "Octavius Anderson, et al. v. Pilgrim's Pride Corporation" in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Lufkin Division claiming Pilgrim's Pride violated requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The suit alleged Pilgrim's Pride failed to pay employees for all hours worked. The suit generally alleged that (1) employees should be paid for time spent to put on, take off, and clean certain personal gear at the beginning and end of their shifts and breaks and (2) the use of a master time card or production "line" time fails to pay employees for all time actually worked. Plaintiffs sought to recover unpaid wages plus liquidated damages and legal fees. Approximately 1,700 consents to join as plaintiffs were filed with the court by current and/or former employees. During the week of March 5, 2001, the case was tried in the Federal Court of the Eastern District of Texas, Lufkin, Texas. The Company prevailed at the trial with a judgment issued by the judge, which found no evidence presented to support the plaintiffs' allegations. The plaintiffs filed an appeal in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse the judge's decision. The plaintiff's brief was submitted to the court on November 5, 2001. Pilgrim's Pride's response to the plaintiff's brief to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals was submitted on December 5, 2001. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in this matter on June 4, 2002. On June 6, 2002 the Fifth Circuit entered a per curiam opinion affirming the opinion of the trial court. Appellants did not file any motion for a rehearing and the time for filing of such a motion has passed. In August of 2000, four of our current and/or former employees filed the case of "Betty Kennell, et al. v. Wampler Foods, Inc." in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, claiming we violated requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The suit generally makes the same allegations as Anderson v. Pilgrim's Pride discussed above. Plaintiffs seek to recover unpaid wages plus liquidated damages and legal fees. Approximately 150 consents to join as plaintiffs were filed with the court by current and/or former employees. No trial date has been set. To date, only limited discovery has been performed. Neither the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome nor the amount of ultimate liability, if any, with respect to this case can be determined at this time. We do not expect this matter, individually or collectively, to have a material impact on our financial position, operations or liquidity. On August 20, 1999, the former WLR Foods brought legal action as a plaintiff in an antitrust lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. alleging a world-wide conspiracy by approximately 34 named defendants to control production capacity and raise prices of common vitamins such as A, B-4, C, and E. The Company, as successor to WLR Foods in this suit, received $8.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2002 in partial settlement of its claims, $3.3 million of which was recorded by the Company as a component of "Other Expense (Income): Miscellaneous, Net" in the third quarter of fiscal 2002 as the recovery amount received during the period exceeded the $5.2 million recovery amount recorded at the time of the acquisition of WLR Foods. The initial estimate of the amount that would be recovered under the WLR Foods claims was based on the ratio of recoveries to vitamin purchases, that was inherent in similar claims settled by the Company in 2001 on substantially similar claims. To date, claims related to approximately one-third of the affected vitamin purchases have been settled by or on behalf of the former WLR Foods netting approximately $10.0 million to the former WLR Foods and/or the Company. No assurances can be made regarding the likelihood or timing of future settlements or whether or not future recoveries, if any, will be proportionally less than, equal to or greater than these previous recovery amounts.. The Company is subject to various other legal proceedings and claims, which arise in the ordinary course of its business. In the opinion of management, the amount of ultimate liability with respect to these actions will not materially affect the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company. PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES JUNE 29, 2002 ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K a. Exhibits EXHIBIT NUMBER 10.36 First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement made as of December 14, 2001 by and among the Company, CoBank, ACB, individually and as agent for the benefit of the present and future lenders, Farm Credit Services of America, FLCA, individually and as a co-arranger, and the lenders parties thereto individually. 10.37 Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement made as of June 17, 2002 by and among the Company, CoBank, ACB, individually and as agent for the benefit of the present and future lenders, Farm Credit Services of America, FLCA, individually and as co-arranger, and the lenders parties thereto individually. b. The Company filed a current report on Form 8-K on April 25, 2002 and a current report on Form 8-K/A on April 26, 2002. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION /s/ Richard A. Cogdill Date JULY 26, 2002 Richard A. Cogdill Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Secretary and Treasurer in his respective capacity as such
                               EXHIBIT 10.36
                               -------------



         FIRST AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT


     THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT ("FIRST
AMENDMENT") is made as of December 14, 2001 ("Execution Date"), by and
between COBANK, ACB ("COBANK") as the Administrative, Documentation and
Collateral Agent for the benefit of the present and future Syndication
Parties (in its capacity as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, the
"ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT"), Lead Arranger and Book Manager, and as a
Syndication Party, FARM CREDIT SERVICES OF AMERICA, FLCA, as Co-Arranger
and as a Syndication Party, the Syndication Parties identified in SCHEDULE
1 hereto, and PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, whose
address is 110 South Texas Street, Pittsburg, Texas 75686, ("BORROWER").

                              R E C I T A L S

     A.   CoBank, in its capacity as Administrative and Documentation Agent
for the benefit of the present and future Syndication Parties, Lead
Arranger and Book Manager, and as a Syndication Party, Farm Credit Services
of America, FLCA as Co-Arranger and as a Syndication Party and certain
other Syndication Parties, and Borrower, entered into that certain Amended
and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 16, 2000 (as amended,
modified, supplemented, restated or replaced from time to time, the "CREDIT
AGREEMENT") pursuant to which the Syndication Parties agreed to make to
Borrower (a) a 7 Year Loan in the amount of $115,000,000 and (b) a 10 Year
Loan in the amount of $285,000,000 upon the terms and conditions set forth
in the Credit Agreement.

     B.   Borrower now desires to amend the Credit Agreement to extend
certain Appraisal deadlines, which the Syndication Parties are willing to
do under the terms and conditions as set forth in this First Amendment.

                            A G R E E M E N T S

     Now, therefore, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, Borrower, Administrative Agent
and the Syndication Parties hereby agree as follows:

     1.  AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT.  The Credit Agreement is hereby
amended as of the Effective Date as follows:

          a.  Subsection 10.2.12(a)(i) of the Credit Agreement shall be
amended in its entirety to read as follows:

               (i) on December 14, 2002 and on each two year anniversary
thereof, provided that if the Leverage Ratio for the Fiscal Quarter
immediately preceding (or ending on) such date is less than fifty percent
(50%), this requirement will be deferred on a Fiscal Quarter basis so long
as such ratio is maintained, provided further that, unless otherwise agreed
by the Required Lenders, any such deferrals shall be for no more than 24
months, so that in any event an Appraisal will be required no later than
four years after the date the last previous Appraisal was required; and.

     2.  CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS FIRST AMENDMENT.  The
effectiveness of this First Amendment is subject to satisfaction, in the
Administrative Agent's sole discretion, of each of the following conditions
precedent (such date being the "Effective Date"):

          a.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  The representations and
warranties of Borrower shall be true and correct in all material respects
on and as of the Effective Date as though made on and as of such date.

          b.  NO EVENT OF DEFAULT.  No Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing under the Credit Agreement as of the Effective Date of
this First Amendment.

     3.  GENERAL PROVISIONS.

          a.  NO OTHER MODIFICATIONS.  The Credit Agreement shall remain in
full force and effect except as specifically amended by this First
Amendment

          b.  DEFINITIONS.  Capitalized terms shall have the meanings set
forth herein, if defined herein.  Capitalized terms used, but not defined,
herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Credit Agreement
if defined therein.

          c.  SEVERABILITY.  Should any provision of this First Amendment be
deemed unlawful or unenforceable, said provision shall be deemed several
and apart from all other provisions of this First Amendment and all
remaining provisions of this First Amendment shall be fully enforceable.

          d.  GOVERNING LAW.  This First Amendment shall be governed by,
interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of
Colorado.

          e.  HEADINGS.  The captions or headings in this First Amendment are
for convenience only and in no way define, limit or describe the scope or
intent of any provision of this First Amendment.

          f.  COUNTERPARTS.  This First Amendment may be executed by the
parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which, when so executed
and delivered, shall be an original, but all such counterparts shall
together constitute one and the same instrument.  Each counterpart may
consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but
together signed by all, of the parties hereto.  Telefax copies of documents
or signature pages bearing original signatures, and executed documents or
signature pages delivered by telefax, shall, in each such instance, be
deemed to be, and shall constitute and be treated as, an original signed
document or counterpart, as applicable.

     This First Amendment is executed as of the Execution Date.

                              BORROWER:

                              PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION

                              By:  /S/ RICHARD A. COGDILL
                              Name:  RICHARD A. COGDILL
                              Title:  EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CFO


                              ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:

                              COBANK, ACB

                              By:  /S/ KENNETH L. WARLICK
                              Name:  KENNETH L. WARLICK
                              Title:  VICE PRESIDENT


                              CO-ARRANGER:

                              FARM CREDIT SERVICES OF AMERICA, FLCA

                              By:  /S/ NATHAN F. BURNHAM
                              Name:  NATHAN F. BURNHAM
                              Title:  VICE PRESIDENT


                  [SIGNATURES CONTINUE ON FOLLOWING PAGE]














SYNDICATION PARTIES:

                              COBANK, ACB

                              By:  /S/ KENNETH L. WARLICK
                              Name:  Kenneth L. Warlick
                              Title:  Vice President


                              FARM CREDIT SERVICES OF AMERICA, FLCA

                              By:  /S/ NATHAN F. BURNHAM
                              Name:  Nathan F. Burnham
                              Title:  Vice President


                              CREDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ

                              By:  /S/ BRADLEY C. PETERSON / THEODORE D.
                              TICE
                              Name:  Bradley C. Peterson / Theodore D. Tice
                              Title:  First Vice President / Vice
                              President,
                                                  Senior Relationship
                                                  Manager


                              HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK

                              By:  /S/ CURTIS FLAMMINI
                              Name:  Curtis Flammini
                              Title:  Vice President


                              SUNTRUST BANK

                              By:  /S/ HUGH E. BROWN
                              Name:  Hugh E. Brown
                              Title:  Vice President

















                              DEERE CREDIT, INC.

                              By:  /S/ RAYMOND L. MURPHEY
                              Name:  Raymond L. Murphey
                              Title:  Senior Account Credit Manager


                              U.S. BANK, National Association (INDIVIDUALLY
                              AND AS SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO FIRSTAR BANK,
                              N.A.)

                              By:  /S/ ALAN V. SCHULER
                              Name:  Alan V. Schuler
                              Title:  Vice President


                              BANK OF TEXAS

                              By:  /S/ DAVID BROUSSARD, JR.
                              Name:  David Broussard, Jr.
                              Title:  Sr. Vice President








                             Exhibit 10.37


         SECOND AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT


     THIS SECOND AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
("SECOND AMENDMENT") is made as of June 17, 2002 ("EXECUTION DATE"), by and
between COBANK, ACB ("COBANK") as the Administrative, Documentation and
Collateral Agent for the benefit of the present and future Syndication
Parties (in its capacity as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, the
"ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT"), Lead Arranger and Book Manager, and as a
Syndication Party, FARM CREDIT SERVICES OF AMERICA, FLCA, as Co-Arranger
and as a Syndication Party, the Syndication Parties whose signatures appear
below, and PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, whose
address is 110 South Texas Street, Pittsburg, Texas 75686, ("BORROWER").

                              R E C I T A L S

     A.   CoBank, in its capacity as Administrative and Documentation Agent
for the benefit of the present and future Syndication Parties, Lead
Arranger and Book Manager, and as a Syndication Party, Farm Credit Services
of America, FLCA as Co-Arranger and as a Syndication Party and certain
other Syndication Parties, and Borrower, entered into that certain Amended
and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of November 16, 2000, and that
certain First Amendment to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as
of December 14, 2001 ("FIRST AMENDMENT") (as amended by the First Amendment
and as amended, modified, supplemented, restated or replaced from time to
time in the future, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT") pursuant to which the
Syndication Parties agreed to make to Borrower (a) a 7 Year Loan in the
amount of $115,000,000 and (b) a 10 Year Loan in the amount of $285,000,000
upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement.

     B.   Borrower now desires to amend the Credit Agreement, which the
Syndication Parties are willing to do under the terms and conditions as set
forth in this Second Amendment.

                            A G R E E M E N T S

     Now, therefore, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, Borrower, Administrative Agent
and the Syndication Parties hereby agree as follows:

      1.    AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT.  The Credit Agreement is hereby
amended as of the Effective Date as follows:

          1.1  "WLR Turkey Assets" is deleted from the list of definitions
following Section 1.115, and a new Section 1.116 is added reading as
follows:

          1.116  WLR TURKEY ASSETS: means all of Borrower's and its
     Subsidiaries' assets relating to or used in connection with its turkey
     line of business including, without limitation, all inventory and
     receivables and all real property interest, furniture, fixtures and
     equipment located at, or used in connection with, the turkey hatching,
     raising, slaughtering, processing, packaging, and shipping operations
     and facilities identified on Part B of EXHIBIT 7.3 hereto.

          1.2  Section 1.15 is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

          1.15  AVAILABLE AMOUNT: the lesser of (a) $400,000,000.00 and
     (b) seventy-five percent (75%) of the Appraised Value (as shown on the
     latest Available Amount Report pursuant to the latest Appraisal as
     provided pursuant to the 1999 Credit Agreement or this Credit
     Agreement, whichever is later) of the Collateral in which the
     Syndication Parties have a perfected first priority lien (without
     considering the lien which secures, but after deducting from the
     Appraised Value the amount owing under, any Pari Passu Loan).

          1.3  Section 5.4 is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

          5.4  MANDATORY PREPAYMENTS:  Borrower shall be required to make
     prepayments ("MANDATORY PREPAYMENTS") in each of the following events
     (a) in the event any of the Collateral (including, after the Merger
     Consummation Date, whether or not the Administrative Agent has, for
     the benefit of the Syndication Parties, been granted a lien thereon,
     the Acquisition Stock, the Wampler Securities Collateral, and the WLR
     Chicken Assets) is the subject of a Casualty Event, a Mandatory
     Prepayment equal to the amount of the Casualty Proceeds received by
     Borrower, Survivor, or Subsidiary Merger Survivor on account thereof
     (provided that no such Mandatory Prepayment shall be required to the
     extent that Borrower, Survivor, or Subsidiary Merger Survivor, as
     applicable, use such Casualty Proceeds for repair or replacement for
     any Casualty Event if the amount of Casualty Proceeds does not exceed
     $25,000,000.00, or such higher amount as may be approved by the
     Required Lenders at their discretion, and so long as (i) a contract
     for such repair or replacement is entered into within 180 days of such
     Casualty Event for such repairs and/or the acquisition of such
     replacements, (ii) such repair or replacement is effected within 360
     days of such Casualty Event, and (iii) any such replacements are
     covered by the lien in favor of the Administrative Agent on the
     Collateral); (b) upon the issuance of any equity securities in a
     capital raising transaction resulting in net proceeds to Borrower of
     an amount in excess of $10,000,000.00, a Mandatory Prepayment equal to
     fifty percent (50%) of net proceeds of such offering of equity
     securities to the extent they are not used, under the conditions set
     forth below, for acquisitions and/or capital investment within 360
     days of receipt; (c) upon sale or other disposition of any non-current
     assets (except for sales in the ordinary course of business) (i) which
     are not a part of the Collateral (other than the WLR Turkey Assets), a
     Mandatory Prepayment equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the net
     proceeds in excess of $5,000,000 received by Borrower, Survivor, or
     Subsidiary Merger Survivor to the extent that they are not used, under
     the conditions set forth below, for acquisitions and/or capital
     investment within 360 days of receipt by Borrower, Survivor, or
     Subsidiary Merger Survivor, as applicable, or (ii) which are a part of
     the Collateral (including, after the Merger Consummation Date, whether
     or not the Administrative Agent has, for the benefit of the
     Syndication Parties, been granted a lien thereon, the Acquisition
     Stock, the Wampler Securities Collateral, and the WLR Chicken Assets),
     a Mandatory Prepayment equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the net
     proceeds in excess of $5,000,000 received by Borrower, Survivor, or
     Subsidiary Merger Survivor to the extent that they are not used, under
     the conditions set forth below, for acquisitions and/or capital
     investment within 360 days of receipt by Borrower, Survivor, or
     Subsidiary Merger Survivor, as applicable, which are covered by a lien
     in favor of the Administrative Agent; and (d) at any time that the
     aggregate outstanding principal balance owing (i) under the 7 Year
     Revolving Loan and the 10 Year Revolving Loan (including the Converted
     Loans) exceeds the Available Amount or (ii) under either the 7 Year
     Revolving Loan or the 10 Year Revolving Loan (including the 7 Year
     Converted Loans or the 10 Year Converted Loans, as applicable) exceeds
     the Aggregate 7 Year Commitment or the Aggregate 10 Year Commitment,
     respectively, as either of them may be reduced from time to time, a
     Mandatory Prepayment equal to the amount of such excess.  In each case
     of proceeds from any offering of equity securities and from any sale
     or other disposition of assets other than the WLR Turkey Assets, to
     avoid Mandatory Prepayment based thereon, Borrower, Survivor, or
     Subsidiary Merger Survivor, as applicable, must, within 180 days of
     receipt of such proceeds, have used such proceeds for acquisitions
     and/or capital investments or executed a binding definitive contract
     for such acquisitions and/or capital investments.  Mandatory
     Prepayments made (x) pursuant to clause (d) of this Section and
     applied to Converted Loans or (z) pursuant to clauses (a), (b), and
     (c) of this Section, will, in either case, result in a permanent
     reduction of the Aggregate 7 Year Commitment and the Aggregate 10 Year
     Commitment to the extent of the Mandatory Payments applied to each
     such Facility.  Mandatory Prepayments under clauses (a), (b), or
     (c) shall be due no later than 10 Banking Days after the expiration of
     the applicable acquisition or capital investment period set forth
     above, and Mandatory Prepayments under (d) shall be due the next
     Banking Day following such occurrence.  In determining the amount of
     Mandatory Prepayment required under clauses (a) or (c)(ii), Borrower
     shall be permitted to make any prepayment required on account of such
     Casualty Event or sale under any Pari Passu Loan (in a maximum amount
     no greater than the pro rata portion based on total outstanding
     principal balances of such loan and the Facilities), and in
     determining the amount of Mandatory Prepayment required under clauses
     (b) and (c)(i), Borrower shall, without duplication regarding payments
     made on account of any Pari Passu Loan, be permitted to make any
     prepayment required on account of such sale under any secured or
     unsecured credit facility which is not expressly subordinate to the
     Facilities in a maximum amount, with respect only to such unsecured
     facilities, of no greater than the pro rata portion based on the total
     outstanding principal balances owing under such unsecured facility to
     the sum of the total outstanding principal balances owing under all
     such unsecured facilities and under the Facilities.

          1.4  Section 7.1 is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

          7.1  BORROWER'S COLLATERAL: As security for the payment and
     performance of all obligations of Borrower to the Administrative
     Agent, to FCSA (with respect to the obligations of Borrower under
     Article 6 hereof), and to all present and future Syndication Parties,
     including but not limited to principal and interest under the Notes,
     purchases of Bank Equity Interests, fees, Funding Losses,
     reimbursements, and all other Bank Debt or obligations under any of
     the Loan Documents, Borrower shall grant to, and maintain for, the
     Administrative Agent, for the benefit of FCSA (to the extent of
     Borrower's obligations with respect to Bank Equity Interests), and for
     the benefit of all present and future Syndication Parties, a first
     lien and security interest, pursuant to the Security Documents,
     subject only to (i) purchase money security interests which would
     qualify as Permitted Encumbrances, and (ii) Permitted Encumbrances
     described in Section 11.3(a) hereof, in the following ("BORROWER
     COLLATERAL") in accordance with the timing set forth in Section 10.3
     hereof:  (a) all of Borrower's real property interest, furniture,
     fixtures and equipment located at, or used in connection with, the
     poultry hatching, raising, slaughtering, processing, packaging, and
     shipping operations and facilities identified on EXHIBIT 7.1 hereto;
     (b) all of Borrower's issued and outstanding common and preferred
     stock in (i) Acquisition Corp ("ACQUISITION STOCK"), and (ii)
     following the consummation of the Merger, in Survivor, and (iii)
     following the consummation of the Subsidiary Merger, in Subsidiary
     Merger Survivor (the stock referred to in clauses (ii) and/or (iii)
     the "SURVIVOR STOCK"); and (c) all proceeds with respect to the assets
     described in clauses (a) and (b) above and all insurance policies in
     connection with the assets described in clauses (a), (b) and
     (c) hereof and the proceeds thereof, in each case whether now owned or
     hereafter acquired; provided that only FCSA shall have a lien on the
     Bank Equity Interests and none of the Syndication Parties shall have a
     lien thereon.  Borrower shall execute and deliver to the
     Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Syndication Parties, the
     Security Documents to evidence the security interest of the
     Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Syndication Parties, in
     the Borrower Collateral, together with such financing statements or
     other documents as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request.
     Borrower shall also execute such further security agreements,
     mortgages, deeds of trust, financing statements, assignments or other
     documents as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request from
     time to time, in form and substance as the Administrative Agent shall
     specify, to establish, confirm, perfect or provide notice of the
     Administrative Agent's security interest (for the benefit of the
     Administrative Agent and all Syndication Parties) in the Borrower
     Collateral.

          1.5  Section 7.3 is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

          7.3  GUARANTOR'S COLLATERAL: As security for the payment and
     performance of all obligations of Acquisition Corp. to the
     Administrative Agent and to all present and future Syndication Parties
     under the Acquisition Guaranty, Survivor and the Subsidiary Merger
     Survivor, as applicable, shall grant to, and maintain for, the
     Administrative Agent, for the benefit of all present and future
     Syndication Parties, a first lien and security interest, pursuant to
     the Security Documents in the following ("WAMPLER COLLATERAL") in
     accordance with the timing set forth in Section 10.3 hereof: (a) all
     of Survivor's stock in Wampler, and all rights, including the rights
     to distributions, thereunder ("WAMPLER SECURITIES COLLATERAL"); (b)
     all of Survivor's and Subsidiary Merger Survivor's real property
     interest, furniture, fixtures and equipment located at, or used in
     connection with, the poultry hatching, raising, slaughtering,
     processing, packaging, and shipping operations and facilities
     identified on Part A of EXHIBIT 7.3 hereto ("WLR CHICKEN ASSETS"); and
     (c) all proceeds with respect to the assets described in clauses
     (a) and (b) above and all insurance policies in connection with the
     assets described in clauses (a), (b), and (c) hereof and the proceeds
     thereof, in each case whether now owned or hereafter acquired.
     Survivor and Subsidiary Merger Survivor, as applicable shall execute
     and deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the
     Syndication Parties, the Wampler Security Documents to evidence the
     security interest of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the
     Syndication Parties, in the Wampler Collateral, together with such
     financing statements or other documents as the Administrative Agent
     shall reasonably request.  Survivor and Subsidiary Merger Survivor, as
     applicable, shall also execute such further security agreements,
     mortgages, deeds of trust, financing statements, assignments or other
     documents as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request from
     time to time, in form and substance as the Administrative Agent shall
     specify, to establish, confirm, perfect or provide notice of the
     Administrative Agent's security interest (for the benefit of the
     Administrative Agent and all Syndication Parties) in the Wampler
     Collateral.

          1.6  Subsection 10.2.11 is amended in its entirety to read as
    follows:

          10.2.11  AVAILABLE AMOUNT REPORTS: If any Advance is made during
     any Fiscal Quarter, then, no later than forty-five (45) days after the
     end of such Fiscal Quarter, unless the outstanding principal balance
     owing under the Facilities on any Advance Date (including the Advance
     requested for such date in a Borrowing Notice) exceeds ninety percent
     (90%) of the Aggregate Commitment, in which case an Available Amount
     Report effective as of the date of such Borrowing Notice must
     accompany the Borrowing Notice (the appropriate date in either case
     being the "AVAILABLE AMOUNT REPORT DEADLINE"), a report in the form of
     EXHIBIT 10.2.11 attached hereto ("AVAILABLE AMOUNT REPORT") effective
     as of the last day of such Fiscal Quarter or the date of such
     Borrowing Notice, as applicable.  Any time that, in connection with a
     Pari Passu Loan, Borrower requests the Administrative Agent to execute
     an Intercreditor Agreement, Borrower shall provide to the
     Administrative Agent an endorsement to the Title Policy increasing the
     amount of insurance provided thereby (or a new Title Policy in the
     full amount, including any such increase) if the following two
     conditions have occurred:  (a) the maximum amount available under such
     Pari Passu Loan, together with the maximum amounts available under all
     Pari Passu Loans entered into since the most recent increase in the
     amount of the Title Policy, is equal to or greater than
     $25,000,000.00, and (b) Borrower has since the most recent increase in
     the amount of the Title Policy, provided to the Administrative Agent
     one or more Available Amount Reports which, in the aggregate, reflect
     an increase in the Appraised Value of the real estate (including any
     structures or other improvements thereon, other than
     equipment) included in the Collateral in an amount equal to or greater
     than $25,000,000.00; provided that Borrower shall not be required to
     provide such endorsement or new Title Policy on account of Available
     Amount Reports which increase the Available Amount based solely on the
     WLR Chicken Assets so long as (i) no part of the WLR Chicken Assets
     are used in calculating whether a Pari Passu Loan is permitted under
     this Subsection and (ii) none of the WLR Chicken Assets are used as
     security for any such Pari Passu Loan.  In the event an increase in
     the amount of insurance available under the Title Policy is required
     pursuant to the preceding sentence, the amount of such increase shall
     be the amount of the aggregate increase in Appraised Value determined
     as provided in clause (b) thereof; provided that in no event shall
     Borrower be required to increase the amount of insurance provided
     under the Title Policy to the extent it would result in the amount
     thereof being an amount in excess of (x) during the Availability
     Period, the Aggregate Commitment, or (y) at any time after the end of
     the Availability Period, the amount of Bank Debt owing.  In the event
     the parcel or parcels of real estate with respect to which there has
     been an increase in Appraised Value are insured by separate Title
     Policies, the increase in insured amount required above need only be
     provided with respect to those Title Policies.

          1.7  Subsection 10.2.12 is amended in its entirety to read as
follows:

          10.2.12  APPRAISALS:  Borrower shall provide the Administrative
     Agent with Appraisals covering all interests required to be included
     within the Collateral: (a) on December 14, 2002 and on each two year
     anniversary thereof, provided that if the Leverage Ratio for the
     Fiscal Quarter immediately preceding (or ending on) such date is less
     than fifty percent (50%), this requirement will be deferred on a
     Fiscal Quarter basis so long as such ratio is maintained, provided
     further that, unless otherwise agreed by the Required Lenders, any
     such deferrals shall be for no more than 24 months, so that in any
     event an Appraisal will be required no later than four years after the
     date the last previous Appraisal was required; and  (b) as may be
     required in connection with Pari Passu Loans as provided herein.

          1.8  Section 10.3 is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

          10.3  GRANT OF LIENS ON WLR RELATED ASSETS: Borrower shall cause
     Acquisition Corp. and/or Survivor, and/or Subsidiary Merger Survivor
     to, grant to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the
     Syndication Parties, a first priority lien on the Wampler Securities
     Collateral and the WLR Chicken Assets, and with respect to such assets
     take the actions in accordance with the following time table:

          1.9  Clause (e) of Subsection 10.3.3 is amended in its entirety
to read as follows:

          (e) The Administrative Agent shall have received in form and
     substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent: (i) documents,
     certified to be true and correct by the Secretary or Assistant
     Secretary of Borrower, evidencing all corporate action taken by
     Survivor and Subsidiary Merger Survivor to authorize (including the
     specific names and titles of the persons authorized to so act the
     execution, delivery and performance of the Wampler Security Documents
     to which it is a party and which relate to WLR Chicken Assets, and a
     certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of Borrower, dated
     the Closing Date, certifying the names and true signatures of the
     Authorized Officers; (ii) documents, certified to be true and correct
     by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of Survivor and Subsidiary
     Merger Survivor, evidencing all corporate action taken by such Person
      to authorize (including the specific names and titles of the persons
     authorized to so act) the execution, delivery and performance of such
     Wampler Security Documents, and (iii) evidence satisfactory to it that
     all consents and approvals of governmental authorities and third
     parties which are with respect to Survivor and/or Subsidiary Merger
     Survivor necessary for, or required as a condition of the validity and
     enforceability of such Wampler Security Documents to which it is a
     party.

          1.10 Subsection 10.3.4 is deleted in its entirety.

          1.11 Section 10.15 is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

          1.12 10.15  APPRAISED PROPERTY: No Available Amount Report will
be based in any part on the Appraised Value of any real property, or
improvements, fixtures, machinery or equipment located on any real
property, not, in either case, described in the deeds of trust executed, on
or prior to the date of such Available Amount Report, by Borrower in
connection with this Credit Agreement.

          1.13 Clause (f) of Section 11.1 is amended in its entirety to
read as follows:

          (f) secured Debt (other than Bank Debt and the Pari Passu
     Loans) in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding of up to the sum
     of (i) eighty-five percent (85%) of the book value of the outstanding
     accounts receivable of Borrower and its Subsidiaries (as such account
     receivable would be shown on a consolidated balance sheet of Borrower
     and its Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP), less allowance
     for doubtful accounts, PLUS (ii) seventy-five percent (75%) of the
     higher of book value or fair market value, determined in accordance
     with GAAP, of the assets of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, but
     excluding from such calculation under this clause (ii), the assets
     covered by clause (i), the Collateral (including, after the Merger
     Consummation Date, whether or not the Administrative Agent has, for
     the benefit of the Syndication Parties, been granted a lien thereon,
     the WLR Chicken Assets), and good will, MINUS (iii) amounts owing
     under the Harris Loan and under the Hancock Loan;

          1.14 Clauses (g), (h), and (i) of Section 11.3 are amended in
their entirety to read as follows:

          (g) Liens, other than on the Collateral (including, after the
     Merger Consummation Date, whether or not the Administrative Agent has,
     for the benefit of the Syndication Parties, been granted a lien
     thereon, the Acquisition Stock, the Wampler Securities Collateral, and
     the WLR Chicken Assets), securing its reimbursement obligations under
     any letter of credit issued in connection with the acquisition of an
     asset; provided that (i) the lien attaches only to such asset, and
     (ii) the lien is released upon satisfaction of such reimbursement
     obligation;

          (h) Liens on the Collateral (including, after the Merger
     Consummation Date, whether or not the Administrative Agent has, for
     the benefit of the Syndication Parties, been granted a lien thereon,
     the Acquisition Stock, the Wampler Securities Collateral, and the WLR
     Chicken Assets) in connection with the Bank Debt or any permitted Pari
     Passu Loan;

          (i) Liens on assets of Borrower or its Subsidiaries, other than
     on the Collateral (including, after the Merger Consummation Date,
     whether or not the Administrative Agent has, for the benefit of the
     Syndication Parties, been granted a lien thereon, the Acquisition
     Stock, the Wampler Securities Collateral, and the WLR Chicken Assets),
     to secure indebtedness permitted under Sections 11.1(f) and 11.1(i);
     and

          1.15 Section 11.4 is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

          11.4  SALE OF ASSETS: Borrower shall not (nor shall it permit any
     of its Subsidiaries to) sell, convey, assign, lease or otherwise
     transfer or dispose of, voluntarily, by operation of law or otherwise,
     any of the Collateral (including, after the Merger Consummation Date,
     whether or not the Administrative Agent has, for the benefit of the
     Syndication Parties, been granted a lien thereon, the Acquisition
     Stock, the Wampler Securities Collateral, and the WLR Chicken
     Assets) except the sale of assets disposed of in the ordinary course
     of business, and which are either replaced or are no longer necessary
     or useful for the business conducted at the facilities which are
     included within the Collateral (including, whether or not the
     Administrative Agent has, for the benefit of the Syndication Parties,
     been granted a lien thereon, the Acquisition Stock, the Wampler
     Securities Collateral, and the WLR Chicken Assets).

     2.   CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS SECOND AMENDMENT.  The
effectiveness of this Second Amendment is subject to satisfaction, in the
Administrative Agent's sole discretion, of each of the following conditions
precedent:

          2.1  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  The representations and
warranties of Borrower shall be true and correct in all material respects
on and as of the Effective Date as though made on and as of such date.

          2.2  NO EVENT OF DEFAULT.  No Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing under the Credit Agreement as of the Execution
Date.

          2.3  EXECUTION AND DELIVERY.  Receipt by the Administrative Agent
of a copy of this Second Amendment, duly executed by all requisite parties.

          2.4  SCHEDULE OF APPRAISED VALUES.  Receipt by the Administrative
Agent of a report, certified to by Borrower's Chief Financial Officer,
showing, for each of the facilities included within the Borrower Collateral
and the Wampler Collateral and upon which the Available Amount is based:
(a) the address, physical description, and function; (b) the Appraised
Value (separated as to (i) machinery and equipment, (ii) building
improvements, and (iii) land); and (c) the date of the Appraisal from which
the Appraised Value has been determined.

          2.5  AMENDMENT FEE.  Borrower's payment to the Administrative
Agent, by wire transfer, of a fee in the amount of $100,000.00 ("AMENDMENT
FEE") to be distributed to the Syndication Parties in the manner determined
by the Administrative Agent and disclosed to the Syndication Parties.

     3.   GENERAL PROVISIONS.

          3.1  NO OTHER MODIFICATIONS.  The Credit Agreement shall remain
in full force and effect except as specifically amended by this Second
Amendment

          3.2DEFINITIONS.  Capitalized terms shall have the meanings set
forth herein, if defined herein.  Capitalized terms used, but not defined,
herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Credit Agreement
if defined therein.

          3.3PRIOR ACTIONS.  Nothing in this Second Amendment shall affect
any previous actions, waivers, or lien releases.

          3.4  SEVERABILITY.  Should any provision of this Second Amendment
be deemed unlawful or unenforceable, said provision shall be deemed several
and apart from all other provisions of this Second Amendment and all
remaining provisions of this Second Amendment shall be fully enforceable.

          3.5  GOVERNING LAW.  This Second Amendment shall be governed by,
interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of
Colorado.

          3.6  HEADINGS.  The captions or headings in this Second Amendment
are for convenience only and in no way define, limit or describe the scope
or intent of any provision of this Second Amendment.

          3.7  COUNTERPARTS.  This Second Amendment may be executed by the
parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which, when so executed
and delivered, shall be an original, but all such counterparts shall
together constitute one and the same instrument.  Each counterpart may
consist of a number of copies hereof, each signed by less than all, but
together signed by all, of the parties hereto.  Telefax copies of documents
or signature pages bearing original signatures, and executed documents or
signature pages delivered by telefax, shall, in each such instance, be
deemed to be, and shall constitute and be treated as, an original signed
document or counterpart, as applicable.

     This Second Amendment is executed as of the Execution Date.

                              BORROWER:

                              PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION


                              By: /S/ RICHARD A. COGDILL
                              Name: Richard A. Cogdill
                              Title: Executive Vice President,
                                  Chief Financial Officer,
                                  Secretary & Treasurer

                              ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:

                              COBANK, ACB


                              By: /S/ BRIAN J. KLATT
                              Name: Brian J. Klatt
                              Title: Vice President

                              CO-ARRANGER:

                              FARM CREDIT SERVICES OF AMERICA, FLCA


                              By: /S/ NATHAN F. BURNHAM
                              Name: Nathan F. Burnham
                              Title:  Vice President


                 [SIGNATURES CONTINUE ON FOLLOWING PAGES]

                              SYNDICATION PARTIES:

                              COBANK, ACB


                              By: /S/ KEN WARLICK
                              Name: Ken Warlick
                              Title:


                              FARM CREDIT SERVICES OF AMERICA, FLCA


                              By: /S/ NATHAN F. BURNHAM
                              Name: Nathan F. Burnham
                              Title:  Vice President


                              CREDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ


                              By:
                              Name:
                              Title:


                              HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK


                              By:
                              Name:
                              Title:


                              SUNTRUST BANK


                              By:
                              Name:
                              Title:




                              DEERE CREDIT, INC.


                              By:
                              Name:
                              Title:


                              U.S. BANK, National Association (INDIVIDUALLY
                              AND AS SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO FIRSTAR BANK,
                              N.A.)


                              By:
                              Name:
                              Title:


                              BANK OF TEXAS


                              By:
                              Name:
                              Title:


                              GREENSTONE FARM CREDIT SERVICES, FLCA


                              By: /S/ ALFRED S. COMPTON, JR.
                              Name: Alfred S. Compton, Jr.
                              Title: Vice President/Senior Loan Officer