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Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Sep. 29, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 29, 2013
Entity Registrant Name	PILGRIMS PRIDE CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000802481
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-29
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		259,029,033

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

Sep. 29, 2013

Dec. 30, 2012

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS [Abstract]

Cash and cash equivalents

$ 330,316

$ 68,180

Trade accounts and other receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts

407,002

384,930

Account receivable from JBS USA, LLC

4,454

1,514

Inventories

911,086

950,296

Income taxes receivable

66,649

54,719

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

72,825

56,047

Assets held for sale

25,320

27,042

Total current assets

1,817,652

1,542,728

Deferred tax assets

59,620

97,431

Other long-lived assets

38,831

45,523

Identified intangible assets, net

33,960

38,266

Property, plant and equipment, net

1,159,358

1,189,921

Total assets

3,109,421

2,913,869

Accounts payable

370,034

312,365

Account payable to JBS USA, LLC

5,893

13,436

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

302,095

283,540

Income taxes payable

468

Current deferred tax liabilities

80,849

104,482

Current maturities of long-term debt

396

15,886

Total current liabilities

759,267

730,177

Long-term debt, less current maturities

912,019

1,148,870

Other long-term liabilities

84,566

125,825

Total liabilities

1,755,852

2,004,872

Common stock

2,590

Additional paid-in capital

1,644,418

1,642,003

Accumulated deficit

(263,507)

(669,711)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

^[1]

(32,397)

(68,511)

Total Pilgrims Pride Corporation stockholders' equity

1,351,104

906,371

Noncontrolling interest

2,465

2,626

Total stockholders' equity

1,353,569

908,997

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

$ 3,109,421

$ 2,913,869

[1]	All amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 2,142,815	$ 2,068,478	$ 6,363,863	$ 5,931,720
Cost of sales	1,906,242	1,962,343	5,726,348	5,571,431
Gross profit	236,573	106,135	637,515	360,289
Selling, general and administrative expense	43,797	41,782	131,888	131,477
Administrative restructuring charges	3,658	2,647	4,622	5,921
Operating income	189,118	61,706	501,005	222,891
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	20,413	25,260	68,199	78,430
Interest income	(571)	(256)	(1,494)	(886)
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net	2,682	(7,701)	4,771	(5,417)
Miscellaneous, net	(8)	413	(730)	(272)
Income before income taxes	166,602	43,990	430,259	151,036
Income tax expense (benefit)	5,578	1,049	24,216	(656)
Net income	161,024	42,941	406,043	151,692
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	107	10	(161)	230
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$ 160,917	$ 42,931	$ 406,204	$ 151,462
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding:
Basic	258,826	258,726	258,825	247,005
Effect of dilutive common stock equivalents	560	111	341	98
Diluted	259,386	258,837	259,166	247,103
Net income per share of common stock outstanding:
Basic	$ 0.62	$ 0.17	$ 1.57	$ 0.61
Diluted	$ 0.62	$ 0.17	$ 1.57	$ 0.61

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME [Abstract]
Net income	$ 161,024	$ 42,941	$ 406,043	$ 151,692
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized holding losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax		(12)		(12)
Gains (losses) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net	313	(5,115)	36,114	(16,140)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	313	(5,127)	36,114	(16,152)
Comprehensive income	161,337	37,814	442,157	135,540
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	107	10	(161)	230
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$ 161,230	$ 37,804	$ 442,318	$ 135,310

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Balance at Dec. 25, 2011	$ 558,430	$ 2,143	$ 1,443,484	$ (843,945)	$ (46,070)	$ 2,818
Balance, shares at Dec. 25, 2011		214,282
Comprehensive income:
Net income (loss)	151,692			151,462		230
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Net unrealized holding losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(12)				(12)
Gains (losses) associated with pension and other postretirement benefit obligations, net of tax of $0	(16,140)				(16,140)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(16,152)
Comprehensive income	135,540
Issuance of common stock	198,281	$ 444	197,837
Issuance of common stock (in shares)		44,444
Share-based compensation plans:
Common stock issued under compensation plans	3	$ 3
Common stock issued under compensation plans (in shares)		273
Requisite service period recognition	462		462
Balance at Sep. 23, 2012	892,716	$ 2,590	1,641,783	(692,483)	(62,222)	3,048
Balance, shares at Sep. 23, 2012		258,999
Balance at Dec. 30, 2012	908,997	$ 2,590	1,642,003	(669,711)	(68,511)	2,626
Balance, shares at Dec. 30, 2012		258,999
Comprehensive income:
Net income (loss)	406,043			406,204		(161)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Net unrealized holding losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax
Gains (losses) associated with pension and other postretirement benefit obligations, net of tax of $0	36,114				36,114
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	36,114
Comprehensive income	442,157
Share-based compensation plans:
Common stock issued under compensation plans
Common stock issued under compensation plans (in shares)		30
Requisite service period recognition	2,415		2,415
Balance at Sep. 29, 2013	$ 1,353,569	$ 2,590	$ 1,644,418	$ (263,507)	$ (32,397)	$ 2,465
Balance, shares at Sep. 29, 2013		259,029

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]
Other comprehensive income (loss), unrealized holding gain (loss) on securities arising during period, tax	$ 0	$ 0
Other comprehensive income (loss), pension and other postretirement benefit plans, tax	$ 0	$ 0

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 406,043	$ 151,692
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	113,853	108,411
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains)	3,734	(5,620)
Accretion of bond discount	342	342
Asset impairment	3,457	1,342
Loss (gain) on property disposals	(509)	5,134
Share-based compensation	2,415	465
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	0	8,153
Trade accounts and other receivables	(25,458)	(3,172)
Inventories	39,421	(94,972)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(17,304)	(1,120)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities	69,895	9,636
Income taxes	(1,818)	(14,428)
Deposits	1,898	734
Long-term pension and other postretirement obligations	(3,174)	(7,120)
Other operating assets and liabilities	3,921	(3,516)
Cash provided by operating activities	596,716	155,961
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment	(76,293)	(62,110)
Purchases of investment securities	0	(162)
Proceeds from sale or maturity of investment securities	0	688
Proceeds from property disposals	3,330	28,687
Cash used in investing activities	(72,963)	(32,897)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from revolving line of credit	505,600	595,800
Payments on revolving line of credit, long-term borrowings and capital lease obligations	(758,283)	(853,008)
Payment of note payable to JBS USA	0	(50,000)
Proceeds from sale of common stock	0	198,282
Payment of capitalized loan costs	(5,006)
Cash used in financing activities	(257,689)	(108,926)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(3,928)	(717)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	262,136	13,421
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	68,180	41,609
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 330,316	$ 55,030

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION	9 Months Ended
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION	Sep. 29, 2013
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION [Abstract]
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION	1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION Business Pilgrim's Pride Corporation (referred to herein as "Pilgrim's," "PPC," "the Company," "we," "us," "our," or similar terms) is one of the largest chicken producers in the world, with operations in the United States ("U.S."), Mexico and Puerto Rico. Pilgrim's products are sold to foodservice, retail and frozen entrée customers. The Company's primary distribution is through retailers, foodservice distributors and restaurants throughout the United States and Puerto Rico and in the northern and central regions of Mexico. Additionally, the Company exports chicken products to approximately 100 countries. Pilgrim's fresh chicken products consist of refrigerated (nonfrozen) whole chickens, whole cut-up chickens and selected chicken parts that are either marinated or non-marinated. The Company's prepared chicken products include fully cooked, ready-to-cook and individually frozen chicken parts, strips, nuggets and patties, some of which are either breaded or non-breaded and either marinated or non-marinated. As a vertically integrated company, we control every phase of the production of our products. We operate feed mills, hatcheries, processing plants and distribution centers in 12 U.S. states, Puerto Rico and Mexico. Pilgrim's has approximately 37,500 employees and has the capacity to process 35.6 million birds per week for a total of approximately 10.1 billion pounds of live chicken annually. Approximately 4,100 contract growers supply poultry for the Company's operations. As of September 29, 2013, JBS USA Holdings, Inc. ("JBS USA"), a wholly owned indirect subsidiary of Brazil-based JBS S.A., beneficially owned 75.5% of the Company's outstanding common stock. Consolidated Financial Statements The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal and recurring adjustments unless otherwise disclosed) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 29, 2013. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2012. Pilgrim's operates on a 52/53-week fiscal year that ends on the Sunday falling on or before December 31. The reader should assume any reference we make to a particular year (for example, 2013) in the notes to these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements applies to our fiscal year and not the calendar year. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries. We eliminate all significant affiliate accounts and transactions upon consolidation. The Company measures the financial statements of its Mexico subsidiaries as if the U.S. dollar were the functional currency. Accordingly, we remeasure assets and liabilities, other than non-monetary assets, of the Mexico subsidiaries at current exchange rates. We remeasure non-monetary assets using the historical exchange rate in effect on the date of each asset's acquisition, with the exception of inventories that are remeasured using an exchange rate based on inventory turnover. We remeasure income and expenses at average exchange rates in effect during the period. Currency exchange gains or losses are included in the line item Foreign currency transaction losses (gains) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. Reportable Segment We operate in one reportable business segment, as a producer and seller of chicken products we either produce or purchase for resale. Revenue Recognition We recognize revenue when all of the following circumstances are satisfied: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) price is fixed or determinable, (iii) collectability is reasonably assured and (iv) delivery has occurred. Delivery occurs in the period in which the customer takes title and assumes the risks and rewards of ownership of the products specified in the customer's purchase order or sales agreement. Revenue is recorded net of estimated incentive offerings including special pricing agreements, promotions and other volume-based incentives. Revisions to these estimates are charged back to net sales in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known. Book Overdraft The majority of the Company's disbursement bank accounts are zero balance accounts where cash needs are funded as checks are presented for payment by the holder. Checks issued pending clearance that result in overdraft balances for accounting purposes are classified as accounts payable and the change in the related balance is reflected in operating activities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Reclassifications We have made certain reclassifications to the 2012 Consolidated Financial Statements with no impact to reported net income in order to conform to the 2013 presentation.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS [Abstract]

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

2. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value must be categorized into one of three different levels depending on the assumptions (i.e., inputs) used in the valuation:

Level 1		Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2		Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability; or

Level 3		Unobservable inputs, such as discounted cash flow models or valuations.

The determination of where assets and liabilities fall within this hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

As of September 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012, the Company held certain items that were required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. These included derivative assets and liabilities and deferred compensation plan assets. Derivative assets and liabilities consist of long and short positions on exchange-traded commodity and foreign currency derivative instruments. The Company maintains nonqualified deferred compensation plans for executives and other highly compensated employees. Investments are maintained within a trust and include money market funds, mutual funds and life insurance policies. The cash surrender value of the life insurance policies is invested primarily in mutual funds. The following items were measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

	September 29, 2013
	Level 1			Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Derivative assets - commodity futures instruments	$	1,394		$	-	$	-	$	1,394
Derivative assets - commodity options instruments		-			1,822		-		1,822
Derivative assets - foreign currency futures instruments		238			-		-		238
Deferred compensation plan assets		7,440			-		-		7,440
Derivative liabilities - commodity futures instruments		(3,545	)		-		-		(3,545	)

	December 30, 2012
	Level 1			Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Derivative assets - commodity futures instruments	$	1,821		$	-	$	-	$	1,821
Deferred compensation plan assets		7,591			-		-		7,591
Derivative liabilities - commodity futures instruments		(1,530	)		-		-		(1,530	)

The valuation of financial assets and liabilities classified in Level 1 is determined using a market approach, taking into account current interest rates, creditworthiness, and liquidity risks in relation to current market conditions, and is based upon unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets in active markets. The valuation of financial assets and liabilities in Level 2 is determined using a market approach based upon quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or other inputs that are observable for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. The valuation of financial assets in Level 3 is determined using an income approach based on unobservable inputs such as discounted cash flow models or valuations.

In addition to the fair value disclosure requirements related to financial instruments carried at fair value, accounting standards require interim disclosures regarding the fair value of all of the Company's financial instruments. The methods and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of financial instruments and any changes in methods or significant assumptions from prior periods are also required to be disclosed. The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of financial assets and liabilities recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets consisted of the following:

	September 29, 2013						December 30, 2012
	Carrying			Fair			Carrying			Fair			Note
	Amount			Value			Amount			Value			Reference
					(In thousands)
Derivative assets - commodity futures instruments	$	1,394		$	1,394		$	1,821		$	1,821		5
Derivative assets - commodity options instruments		1,822			1,822			-			-		5
Derivative assets - foreign currency futures instruments		238			238			-			-		5
Deferred compensation plan assets		7,440			7,440			7,591			7,591
Derivative liabilities - commodity futures instruments		(3,545	)		(3,545	)		(1,530	)		(1,530	)	5
Long-term debt and other borrowing arrangements		(912,415	)		(973,089	)		(1,164,756	)		(1,208,730	)	8

Derivative assets were recorded at fair value based on quoted market prices and are included in the line item Prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. Deferred compensation plan assets were recorded at fair value based on quoted market prices and are included in the line item Other assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Derivative liabilities were recorded at fair value based on quoted market prices and are included in the line item Accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The fair values of the Company's long-term debt and other borrowing arrangements were estimated by calculating the net present value of future payments for each debt obligation or borrowing by: (i) using a risk-free rate applicable for an instrument with a life similar to the remaining life of each debt obligation or borrowing plus the current estimated credit risk spread for the Company or (ii) using the quoted market price at September 29, 2013 or December 30, 2012, as applicable.

In addition to assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, the Company records certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. Generally, assets are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as a result of impairment charges when required by U.S. GAAP. Certain long-lived assets held for sale with a carrying amount of $25.5 million were written down to their fair value of $22.4 million, resulting in a loss of $3.1 million recorded in earnings during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2013. These assets are classified as Level 2 assets because their fair value can be corroborated based on observable market data.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

TRADE ACCOUNTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

TRADE ACCOUNTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES [Abstract]

TRADE ACCOUNTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

3. TRADE ACCOUNTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

Trade accounts and other receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts, consisted of the following:

	September 29, 2013			December 30, 2012
	(In thousands)
Trade accounts receivable	$	399,290		$	381,747
Account receivable from JBS USA, LLC		4,454			1,514
Employee receivables		22			48
Other receivables		12,827			6,892
Receivables, gross		416,593			390,201
Allowance for doubtful accounts		(5,137	)		(3,757	)
Receivables, net	$	411,456		$	386,444

- Definition

The entire disclosure for claims held for amounts due a entity, excluding financing receivables. Examples include, but are not limited to, trade accounts receivables, notes receivables, loans receivables. Includes disclosure for allowance for credit losses.

+ References + Details

INVENTORIES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

INVENTORIES [Abstract]

INVENTORIES

4. INVENTORIES

Inventories consisted of the following:

	September 29, 2013		December 30, 2012
	(In thousands)
Live chicken and hens	$	420,644	$	405,335
Feed, eggs and other		244,250		307,500
Finished chicken products		245,939		237,159
Total chicken inventories		910,833		949,994
Commercial feed and other		253		302
Total inventories	$	911,086	$	950,296

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS [Abstract]

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

5. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company utilizes various raw materials in its operations, including corn, soybean meal, soybean oil, sorghum, natural gas, electricity and diesel fuel, which are all considered commodities. The Company considers these raw materials generally available from a number of different sources and believes it can obtain them to meet its requirements. These commodities are subject to price fluctuations and related price risk due to factors beyond our control, such as economic and political conditions, supply and demand, weather, governmental regulation and other circumstances. Generally, the Company purchases derivative financial instruments, specifically exchange-traded futures and options, in an attempt to mitigate price risk related to its anticipated consumption of commodity inputs for approximately the next 12 months. The Company may purchase longer-term derivative financial instruments on particular commodities if deemed appropriate. The Company will sometimes take a short position on a derivative instrument to minimize the impact of a commodity's price volatility on its operating results. The Company will also occasionally purchase derivative financial instruments in an attempt to mitigate currency exchange rate exposure related to the financial statements of its Mexico operations that are denominated in Mexican pesos. The fair value of derivative assets is included in the line item Prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets while the fair value of derivative liabilities is included in the line item Accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the same statements. Our counterparties require that we post cash collateral for changes in the net fair value of the derivative contracts.

We have not designated the derivative financial instruments that we have purchased to mitigate commodity purchase transaction exposures or fluctuations in foreign currency as cash flow hedges. Therefore, we recognized changes in the fair value of these derivative financial instruments immediately in earnings. Gains or losses related to these derivative financial instruments are included in the line item Cost of sales in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company recognized net gains of $8.0 million and $5.9 million related to changes in the fair value of its derivative financial instruments during the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2013 and September 23, 2012, respectively. We also recognized net gains of $21.9 million and $3.7 million related to changes in the fair value of our derivative financial instruments during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2013 and September 23, 2012, respectively. Information regarding the Company's outstanding derivative instruments and cash collateral posted with (owed to) brokers are included in the following table:

	September 29, 2013			December 30, 2012
	(Fair values in thousands)
Fair values:
Commodity derivative assets, gross	$	3,216		$	1,821
Commodity derivative liabilities, gross		(3,545	)		(1,530	)
Cash collateral posted with (owed to) brokers		9,423			(166	)
Foreign currency derivative assets, gross		238			-
Derivatives Coverage^(a):
Corn		(0.3	)%		-	%
Soybean meal		(2.4	)%		-	%
Period through which stated percent of needs are covered:
Corn		December 2014			December 2013
Soybean meal		March 2014			December 2013

(a)		Derivatives coverage is the percent of anticipated commodity needs covered by outstanding derivative instruments through a specified date.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for derivative instruments and hedging activities including, but not limited to, risk management strategies, non-hedging derivative instruments, assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and methodologies and assumptions used in determining the amounts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6441202&loc=d3e80720-113993

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4C
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624171-113959

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=d3e41620-113959

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5624163-113959

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7476318&loc=SL5579240-113959

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4D
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+ Details

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT [Abstract]

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

6. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment ("PP&E"), net consisted of the following:

	September 29, 2013			December 30, 2012
	(In thousands)
Land	$	65,341		$	63,788
Buildings		1,083,288			1,081,059
Machinery and equipment		1,535,378			1,498,280
Autos and trucks		58,379			58,526
Construction-in-progress		48,263			47,927
PP&E, gross		2,790,649			2,749,580
Accumulated depreciation		(1,631,291	)		(1,559,659	)
PP&E, net	$	1,159,358		$	1,189,921

The Company recognized depreciation expense of $34.3 million and $32.5 million during the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2013 and September 23, 2012, respectively. We also recognized depreciation expense of $102.3 million and $96.7 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2013 and September 23, 2012, respectively.

During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2013, the Company sold certain PP&E for cash of $0.4 million and $3.3 million, respectively, and recognized net gains on these sales of $53,000 and $2.0 million, respectively. PP&E sold in 2013 included vehicle maintenance centers in Arkansas, Texas and Georgia, an idled hatchery in North Carolina, excess land in Texas and miscellaneous equipment. During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 23, 2012, the Company sold certain PP&E for cash of $16.2 million and $28.7 million, respectively, and recognized net losses on these sales of $1.9 million and $1.4 million, respectively. PP&E sold in 2012 included a commercial egg operation in Texas, a vacant office building in Texas, an idled processing plant in Georgia, an idled feed mill in Arkansas, idled hatcheries in Alabama, Arkansas and Georgia, an idled distribution center in Louisiana, various broiler and breeder farms in Texas, both developed and undeveloped land in Texas and miscellaneous processing equipment.

The Company scrapped certain unused or obsolete PP&E recognizing net losses of $0.3 million and $2.6 million, during the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2013 and September 23, 2012, respectively. We also recognized net losses of $1.5 million and $3.7 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2013 and September 23, 2012, respectively.

Management has committed to the sale of certain properties and related assets, including, but not limited to, processing plants and an office building, which no longer fit into the operating plans of the Company. The Company is actively marketing these properties and related assets for immediate sale and believes a sale of each property can be consummated within the next 12 months. At September 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012, the Company reported properties and related assets totaling $25.3 million and $27.0 million, respectively, in the line item Assets held for sale on its Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2013 and September 23, 2012, the Company recognized impairment expense on certain of these assets of $3.1 million and $1.3 million, respectively.

As part of the exit or disposal activities discussed in "Note 13. Exit or Disposal Activities," the Company closed or idled various processing complexes, processing plants, hatcheries and broiler farms throughout the U.S. Neither the Board of Directors nor JBS USA has determined if it would be in the best interest of the Company to divest any of these idled assets. Management is therefore not certain that it can or will divest any of these assets within one year, is not actively marketing these assets and, accordingly, has not classified them as assets held for sale. The Company continues to depreciate these assets. At September 29, 2013, the carrying amount of these idled assets was $55.0 million based on depreciable value of $149.4 million and accumulated depreciation of $94.4 million.

The Company last tested the recoverability of its long-lived assets held and used in December 2012. At that time, the Company determined that the carrying amount of its long-lived assets held and used was recoverable over the remaining life of the primary asset in the group and that long-lived assets held and used passed the Step 1 recoverability test under ASC 360-10-35,Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets. There were no indicators present during the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2013 that required the Company to test its long-lived assets held and used, other than the long-lived assets related to the Batesville, Arkansas complex, for recoverability.

On October 25, 2013, we sold our smallest processing complex, located in Batesville, Arkansas, to a producer in a niche chicken market in which we do not compete. During the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2013, the company recognized impairment expense of $0.4 million related to this complex. We view this transaction as a constructive step forward in aligning our facilities to our long-term growth strategy.

CURRENT LIABILITIES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

CURRENT LIABILITIES [Abstract]

CURRENT LIABILITIES

7. CURRENT LIABILITIES

Current liabilities, other than income taxes and current maturities of long-term debt, consisted of the following components:

	September 29, 2013		December 30, 2012
	(In thousands)
Accounts payable:
Trade accounts	$	294,131	$	252,644
Book overdrafts		74,911		58,066
Other payables		992		1,655
Total accounts payable		370,034		312,365
Accounts payable to JBS USA, LLC		5,893		13,436
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities:
Compensation and benefits		83,107		77,376
Interest and debt-related fees		17,560		10,740
Insurance and self-insured claims		117,119		108,806
Commodity derivative liabilities:
Futures		3,545		1,530
Other accrued expenses		80,764		85,088
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities		302,095		283,540
	$	678,022	$	609,341

LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER BORROWING ARRANGEMENTS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER BORROWING ARRANGEMENTS [Abstract]

LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER BORROWING ARRANGEMENTS

8. LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER BORROWING ARRANGEMENTS

Long-term debt and other borrowing arrangements consisted of the following components:

	Maturity	September 30, 2013			December 30, 2012
		(In thousands)
Senior notes, at 7 ⅞%, net of unaccreted discount	2018	$	497,643		$	497,301
U.S. Credit Facility (defined below):
Term B-1 note payable at 2.44% and 4.75%	2014		204,880			275,443
Term B-2 note payable at 9.00%	2014		205,219			283,647
Revolving note payable on which the Company had funds borrowed at 4.25% at December 30, 2012	2018		-			103,600
Mexico Credit Facility (defined below) with notes payable at TIIE Rate plus 2.25% or Equilibrium Interbank Interest Rate plus 4.5%	2014		-			-
Other	Various		4,673			4,765
Long-term debt			912,415			1,164,756
Less: Current maturities of long-term debt			(396	)		(15,886	)
Long-term debt, less current maturities		$	912,019		$	1,148,870

Senior and Subordinated Notes

At September 29, 2013, the Company had an aggregate principal balance outstanding of $500.0 million of 7 ⅞% Senior Notes due 2018 (the "2018 Notes") that are registered under the Securities Act of 1933. The 2018 Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company and are guaranteed by one of the Company's subsidiaries. Interest is payable on December 15 and June 15 of each year, commencing on June 15, 2011. The indenture governing the 2018 Notes contains various covenants that may adversely affect our ability, among other things, to incur additional indebtedness, incur liens, pay dividends or make certain restricted payments, consummate certain asset sales, enter into certain transactions with JBS USA and our other affiliates, merge, consolidate and/or sell or dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. Additionally, the Company had an aggregate principal balance of $3.9 million of 7 ⅝% senior unsecured notes, 8 ⅜% senior subordinated unsecured notes and 9 ¼% senior unsecured notes outstanding at September 29, 2013.

On June 23, 2011, the Company entered into a Subordinated Loan Agreement with JBS USA (the "Subordinated Loan Agreement"), which provided an aggregate commitment of $100.0 million. On June 23, 2011, JBS USA made a term loan to the Company in the principal amount of $50.0 million under the Subordinated Loan Agreement. Pursuant to the terms of the Subordinated Loan Agreement, the Company has also agreed to reimburse JBS USA up to $56.5 million for potential draws upon letters of credit issued on JBS USA's account that support certain obligations of the Company or its subsidiaries. On December 16, 2011, the Company and JBS USA executed an amendment to the Subordinated Loan Agreement that, among other things, provided that if the Company consummated a stock rights offering (the "Rights Offering") that allowed stockholders of record as of January 17, 2012 to purchase an aggregate 44,444,444 shares of the Company's common stock on or before March 24, 2012, the loan commitment under the Subordinated Loan Agreement would be terminated. The Company consummated the Rights Offering on February 29, 2012. Further, under the U.S. Credit Facility (as defined below), following the consummation of the Rights Offering, (i) the Company, at its option, was permitted to prepay the outstanding $50.0 million term loan under the Subordinated Loan Agreement and (ii) the existing commitment of JBS USA to make an additional $50.0 million term loan to the Company under the Subordinated Loan Agreement would be terminated. On March 7, 2012, the Company repaid the outstanding $50.0 million term loan under the Subordinated Loan Agreement, plus accrued interest, with proceeds received from the Rights Offering and the remaining commitment to make loans under the Subordinated Loan Agreement was terminated.

JBS USA agreed to arrange for letters of credit to be issued on its account in the amount of $56.5 million to an insurance company serving the Company in order to allow that insurance company to return cash it held as collateral against potential workers compensation, auto and general liability claims. In return for providing this letter of credit, the Company agreed to reimburse JBS USA for the letter of credit costs the Company would otherwise incur under its U.S. Credit Facility (as defined below). During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2013, the Company reimbursed JBS USA $0.6 million and $1.8 million, respectively, for letter of credit costs. As of September 29, 2013, the Company has accrued an obligation of $0.1 million to reimburse JBS USA for letter of credit costs incurred on its behalf.

U.S. Credit Facility

Pilgrim's and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a credit agreement (the "U.S. Credit Facility") with CoBank, ACB, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and other lenders party thereto, which was amended and restated on August 7, 2013. The U.S. Credit Facility currently provides for a $700.0 million revolving credit facility, a Term B facility of approximately $410.1 million and a delayed draw term loan commitment of up to $400 million (the "Delayed Draw Term Loans"). The Company can draw upon the Delayed Draw Term Loan commitment, in one or more advances, between May 1, 2014 and December 28, 2014. The U.S. Credit Facility also includes an accordion feature that allows us, at any time, to increase the aggregate revolving loan commitment by up to an additional $250.0 million and to increase the aggregate Delayed Draw Term Loan commitment by up to an additional $500.0 million, in each case subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including obtaining the lenders' agreement to participate in the increase and an aggregate limit on all commitments under the U.S. Credit Facility of $1.85 billion. The U.S. Credit Facility also provides for a $100 million sub-limit for swingline loans and a $200 million sub-limit for letters of credit. The Term B Loans mature on December 28, 2014 with all principal and unpaid interest due at maturity. The revolving loan commitment under the U.S. Credit Facility matures on August 7, 2018. Any Delayed Draw Term Loans would be payable in quarterly installments beginning in fiscal year 2015 equal to 1.875% of the principal outstanding as of December 28, 2014, with all remaining principal and interest due at maturity on August 7, 2018.

On December 28, 2009, the Company paid loan costs totaling $50.0 million related to the U.S. Credit Facility that it recognized as an asset on its balance sheet. On August 7, 2013, the Company paid loan costs totaling $5.0 million related to the amendment and restatement to the U.S. Credit Facility that is recognized as an asset on its balance sheet. The Company amortizes these capitalized costs to interest expense over the life of the U.S. Credit Facility.

Subsequent to the end of each fiscal year, a portion of our cash flow must be used to repay outstanding principal amounts under the Term B loans. With respect to 2012, the Company was required to pay approximately $141.2 million of its cash flow toward the outstanding principal under the Term B loans, which the Company paid on April 29, 2013. The excess cash flow payments have been and will continue to be applied to installments of the Term B loans ratably in accordance with the then outstanding amounts thereof. The U.S. Credit Facility also requires us to use the proceeds we receive from certain asset sales and specified debt or equity issuances and upon the occurrence of other events to repay outstanding borrowings under the U.S. Credit Facility. The cash proceeds received by the Company from the Rights Offering were not subject to this requirement. On September 29, 2013, a principal amount of $410.1 million under the Term B loans commitment was outstanding.

Actual borrowings by the Company under the revolving credit commitment component of the U.S. Credit Facility are subject to a borrowing base, which is a formula based on certain eligible inventory, eligible receivables and restricted cash under the control of CoBank, ACB. As of September 29, 2013, the applicable borrowing base was $700.0 million, the amount available for borrowing under the revolving loan commitment was $670.4 million. The Company had letters of credit of $29.6 million and no outstanding borrowings under the revolving loan commitment as of September 29, 2013.

The U.S. Credit Facility contains financial covenants and various other covenants that may adversely affect our ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, incur liens, pay dividends or make certain restricted payments, consummate certain assets sales, enter into certain transactions with JBS USA and our other affiliates, merge, consolidate and/or sell or dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. The U.S. Credit Facility requires the Company to comply with a minimum level of tangible net worth covenant. The Company is currently in compliance with this financial covenant. All other financial covenants were eliminated in connection with the August 7, 2013 amendment and restatement to the U.S. Credit Facility. The U.S. Credit Facility also provides that the Company may not incur capital expenditures in excess of $350.0 million in any fiscal year.

All obligations under the U.S. Credit Facility are unconditionally guaranteed by certain of the Company's subsidiaries and are secured by a first priority lien on (i) the accounts receivable and inventories of the Company and its non-Mexico subsidiaries, (ii) 65% of the equity interests in the Company's direct foreign subsidiaries and 100% of the equity interests in the Company's other subsidiaries and (iii) substantially all of the personal property and intangibles of the borrowers and guarantors under the U.S. Credit Facility and (iv) substantially all of the real estate and fixed assets of the Company and the guarantor subsidiaries under the U.S. Credit Facility.

Mexico Credit Facility

On October 19, 2011, Avícola Pilgrim's Pride de México, S.A. de C.V. , Pilgrim's Pride S. de R.L. de C.V. and certain other Mexican subsidiaries entered into an amended and restated credit agreement (the "Mexico Credit Facility") with ING Bank (México), S.A. Institución de Banca Múltiple, ING Grupo Financiero, as lender and ING Capital LLC, as administrative agent. The Mexico Credit Facility has a final maturity date of September 25, 2014. The Mexico Credit Facility is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company's Mexico subsidiaries. As of September 29, 2013, the U.S. dollar-equivalent of the loan commitment under the Mexico Credit Facility was $42.4 million. There were no outstanding borrowings under the Mexico Credit Facility at September 29, 2013.

INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES	Sep. 29, 2013
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	9. INCOME TAXES The Company recorded income tax expense of $24.2 million, a 5.6% effective tax rate, for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2013, compared to an income tax benefit of $0.7 million, a (0.4)% effective tax rate, for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 23, 2012. The income tax expense recognized for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2013 was primarily the result of the tax expense recorded on the Company's year-to-date income, offset by a decrease in valuation allowance as a result of year-to-date earnings. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities (including the impact of available carry back and carry forward periods), projected future taxable income and tax-planning strategies in making this assessment. As of September 29, 2013, the Company does not believe it has sufficient positive evidence to conclude that realization of its federal, state and a portion of its foreign net deferred tax assets is more likely than not to be realized. For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2013 and September 23, 2012, there is no tax effect reflected in other comprehensive income because the Company has a valuation allowance. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state or local income tax examinations for years prior to 2008 and is no longer subject to Mexico income tax examinations for years prior to 2008. The Company is currently working with the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") through the normal processes and procedures that are available to all taxpayers outside of bankruptcy to resolve the IRS' proof of claim. In connection with such claim, the Company has filed various petitions in the United States Tax Court ("Tax Court") in response to the Notices of Deficiency that were issued to the Company. On December 12, 2012, the Company entered into two Stipulation of Settled Issues ("Stipulation" or "Stipulations") with the IRS that resolved a portion of the IRS' proof of claim. The Company is still working with the IRS to resolve the portion of the IRS' amended proof of claim relating to the tax year ended June 30, 2004 for Gold Kist Inc. ("Gold Kist"), a company purchased by Pilgrim's in 2007. There has been no significant change in the resolution of the IRS' claim relating to Gold Kist since December 30, 2012. See "Note 15. Commitments and Contingencies" for additional information. On September 13, 2013, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued the final, revised Tangible Property Repair Regulations for Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Sections 162(a) and 263(a) which modify and supersede the Temporary Regulations that were issued on December 23, 2011. In addition, the IRS released new proposed regulations for dispositions of tangible property under IRC Section 168. These final and proposed regulations are effective for tax years beginning January 1, 2014. The Company is assessing the applicability of the regulations to the Company's tax fixed assets. The Company plans to complete this analysis during the fourth quarter of 2013.

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS [Abstract]

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

10. PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

The Company sponsors programs that provide retirement benefits to most of its employees. These programs include qualified defined benefit pension plans, nonqualified defined benefit retirement plans, a defined benefit postretirement life insurance plan and defined contribution retirement savings plans. Expenses recognized under all of these retirement plans in the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2013 and September 23, 2012 totaled $1.9 million and $2.0 million, respectively. Expenses recognized under all of these retirement plans in the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2013 and September 23, 2012 totaled $5.7 million and $6.0 million, respectively.

Net defined benefit pension and other postretirement costs included the following components:

	Thirteen Weeks Ended											Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	September 29, 2013					September 23, 2012						September 29, 2013					September 23, 2012
	Pension Benefits			Other Benefits		Pension Benefits			Other Benefits			Pension Benefits			Other Benefits		Pension Benefits			Other Benefits
	(In thousands)
Service cost	$	(20	)	$	-	$	13		$	-		$	-		$	-	$	38		$	-
Interest cost		1,988			20		2,147			25			5,965			59		6,204			72
Estimated return on plan assets		(1,349	)		-		(2,126	)		-			(4,048	)		-		(4,997	)		-
Amortization of net loss (gain)		250			-		(483	)		(1	)		751			-		348			(2	)
Net costs	$	869		$	20	$	(449	)	$	24		$	2,668		$	59	$	1,593		$	70

During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2013, the Company contributed $3.3 million and $6.4 million, respectively, to its defined benefit plans.

The Company remeasures both plan assets and obligations on a quarterly basis. The fair value of plan assets increased from $92.3 million at December 30, 2012 to $101.9 million at September 29, 2013 because of better than expected returns on the invested assets. Projected benefit obligation decreased from $196.4 million at December 30, 2012 to $166.1 million at September 29, 2013 because of an increase of 0.85 percentage points in the discount rate used to calculate the present value of the obligation.

The Company and certain retirement plans that it sponsors invest in a variety of financial instruments. Certain postretirement funds in which the Company participates hold significant amounts of mortgage-backed securities. However, none of the mortgages collateralizing these securities are considered subprime.

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

11. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

At both September 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012, accumulated other comprehensive loss consisted solely of unrealized actuarial losses related to the Company's defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. The following tables provide information regarding the changes in these unrealized actuarial losses during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2013:

	Changes in Unrealized Actuarial Losses^(a)
	(In thousands)
Balance, beginning of period	$	(68,511	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		35,363
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income		751
Net current period other comprehensive income		36,114
Balance, end of period	$	(32,397	)


(a)		All amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits.

Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Components	Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss^(a)				Affected Line Item in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income
	(In thousands)
Amortization of defined benefit pension and other
postretirement plan actuarial losses:
Union Plan^(b)	$	(27	)	^(d)	Cost of goods sold
Legacy Gold Kist Plans^(c)		(724	)	^(d)	Selling, general and administrative expense
Total before tax		(751	)
Tax benefit (expense)		-
Total reclassification for the period	$	(751	)		Net of tax


(a)		Amounts in parentheses represent debits to results of operations.
(b)		The Company sponsors the Pilgrim's Pride Retirement Plan for Union Employees (the "Union Plan"), a qualified defined benefit pension plan covering certain locations or work groups with collective bargaining agreements.
(c)		The Company sponsors the Pilgrim's Pride Plan for Legacy Gold Kist Employees, a qualified defined benefit pension plan covering certain eligible U.S. employees who were employed at locations that the Company purchased through its acquisition of Gold Kist in 2007, the Former Gold Kist Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, a nonqualified defined benefit retirement plan covering certain former Gold Kist executives, the Former Gold Kist Inc. Directors' Emeriti Plan, a nonqualified defined benefit retirement plan covering certain former Gold Kist directors and the Gold Kist Inc. Retiree Life Insurance Plan, a defined benefit postretirement life insurance plan covering certain retired Gold Kist employees (collectively, the "Legacy Gold Kist Plans").
(d)		These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See "Note 10. Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits" to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Rights Offering

In January 2012, Pilgrim's commenced the Rights Offering for stockholders of record as of January 17, 2012 (the "Record Date"). The basic subscription privilege gave stockholders the option to purchase 0.2072 shares of Pilgrim's common stock, rounded up to the next largest whole number, at a subscription price of $4.50 per share for each share of Pilgrim's common stock they owned as of the Record Date. The multiplier was determined by dividing the 44,444,444 shares being offered in the Rights Offering by the total number of shares owned by all stockholders on the Record Date. Those stockholders that exercised their basic subscription privilege in full also received an over-subscription privilege that afforded them the opportunity to purchase additional shares at the subscription price of $4.50 per share from a pool of the shares left over had all stockholders not elected to exercise their basic subscription privileges in full. JBS USA committed to participate in the Rights Offering and exercise its basic and over-subscription privileges in full. The last day a stockholder could exercise either their basic subscription rights or their over-subscription rights was February 29, 2012. On March 7, 2012, the Company issued 44,444,444 shares of common stock to stockholders that exercised their basic subscription privileges and over-subscription privileges under the Rights Offering. Gross proceeds received under the Rights Offering totaled $200.0 million. The Company incurred costs directly attributable to the Rights Offering of $1.7 million that it deferred and charged against the proceeds of the Rights Offering in Additional Paid-in Capital on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company used the net proceeds of $198.3 million for additional working capital to improve its capital position and for general corporate purposes. Pilgrim's also used a portion of the net proceeds to repay the outstanding principal amount of $50.0 million, plus accrued interest, of its subordinated debt owed to JBS USA and to repay indebtedness under the U.S. Credit Facility.

Restrictions on Retained Earnings

The U.S. Credit Facility prohibits us from paying dividends on the common stock of the Company. Further, the indenture governing the 2018 Notes restricts, but does not prohibit, the Company from declaring dividends.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for shareholders' equity comprised of portions attributable to the parent entity and noncontrolling interest, including other comprehensive income. Includes, but is not limited to, balances of common stock, preferred stock, additional paid-in capital, other capital and retained earnings, accumulated balance for each classification of other comprehensive income and amount of comprehensive income.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(d),(e))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21484-112644

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 310
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 4.E)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27010918&loc=d3e74512-122707

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21488-112644

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.29-31)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
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-SubTopic 10
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-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 4.C)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187143-122770

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
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-Paragraph 6
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21506-112644

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
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-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27012166&loc=d3e187085-122770

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6405834&loc=d3e23285-112656

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
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-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21475-112644

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Glossary Preferred Stock
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6521494

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
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-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21463-112644

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21564-112644

Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 08
-Paragraph d
-Article 4

Reference 15: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 29, 30, 31
-Article 5

Reference 16: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)
-Number Topic 4
-Section E

Reference 17: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
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-Article 4

Reference 18: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
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-Number Topic 4
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Reference 19: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 04
-Article 3

+ Details

INCENTIVE COMPENSATION

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

INCENTIVE COMPENSATION [Abstract]

INCENTIVE COMPENSATION

12. INCENTIVE COMPENSATION

The Company sponsors a short-term incentive plan that provides the grant of either cash or share-based bonus awards payable upon achievement of specified performance goals (the "STIP"). Full-time, salaried exempt employees of the Company and its affiliates who are selected by the administering committee are eligible to participate in the STIP. The Company has accrued $12.5 million in costs related to the STIP at September 29, 2013 related to cash bonus awards that could potentially be awarded during the remainder of 2013 and 2014.

The Company also sponsors a performance-based, omnibus long-term incentive plan that provides for the grant of a broad range of long-term equity-based and cash-based awards to the Company's officers and other employees, members of the Board and any consultants (the "LTIP"). The equity-based awards that may be granted under the LTIP include "incentive stock options," within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards ("RSAs") and restricted stock units ("RSUs"). At September 29, 2013, we have reserved approximately 6.6 million shares of common stock for future issuance under the LTIP.

The following awards existed during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2013:

Estimated

Award

Vesting

Forfeiture

Settlement

Type

Benefit Plan

Quantity

Grant Date

Condition

Vesting Date

Rate

Method

RSA

Employment Agreement

100,000

January 14, 2011

Service

January 3, 2013

Stock

RSA

Employment Agreement

100,000

January 14, 2011

Service

January 3, 2014

Stock

RSA

LTIP

72,675

August 27, 2012

Service

April 27, 2014

Stock

RSU

LTIP

608,561

February 4, 2013

Service

December 31, 2014

9.6559

Stock

RSA

LTIP

15,000

February 25, 2013

Service

February 24, 2015

Stock

RSA

LTIP

15,000

February 25, 2013

Service

February 24, 2016

Stock

RSU

LTIP

206,933

February 26, 2013

Service

December 31, 2014

Stock

Compensation costs and the income tax benefit recognized for our share-based compensation arrangements are included below:

	Thirteen Weeks Ended				Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	September 29, 2013		September 23, 2012		September 29, 2013		September 23, 2012
	(In thousands)
Share-based compensation costs:
Cost of goods sold	$	102	$	-	$	255	$	-
Selling, general and administrative expenses		711		166		2,160		464
Total	$	813	$	166	$	2,415	$	464

Income tax benefit	$	151	$	-	$	488	$	-

The Company's RSA and RSU activity is included below:

	Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	September 29, 2013				September 23, 2012
			Weighted Average			Weighted Average
	Number		Grant Date Fair Value		Number	Grant Date Fair Value
	(In thousands, except weighted average fair values)
RSAs:
Outstanding at beginning of period	273		$	6.54	200	$	7.10
Granted	30			8.72	-		-
Vested	(100	)		7.10	-		-
Outstanding at end of period	203		$	6.59	200	$	7.10

RSUs:
Outstanding at beginning of period	-		$	-	-	$	-
Granted	815			8.82	-		-
Forfeited	(72	)		8.89	-		-
Outstanding at end of period	743		$	8.81	-	$	-

At September 29, 2013, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to all nonvested awards was $5.5 million. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.25 years.

Historically, we have issued new shares to satisfy award conversions.

EXIT OR DISPOSAL ACTIVITIES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

EXIT OR DISPOSAL ACTIVITIES [Abstract]

EXIT OR DISPOSAL ACTIVITIES

13. EXIT OR DISPOSAL ACTIVITIES

From time to time, the Company will incur costs to implement exit or disposal efforts for specific operations. These exit or disposal plans, each of which is approved by the Company's Board of Directors, focus on various aspects of operations, including closing and consolidating certain processing facilities, rationalizing headcount and aligning operations in the most strategic and cost-efficient structure. Specific exit or disposal efforts that were ongoing during either the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2013 or the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 23, 2012 included the following:

	Facility Closures^(a)		Administrative Integration ^(b)		Total
	(In thousands, except positions eliminated)
Earliest implementation date		October 2008		January 2010
Latest expected completion date		September 2014		September 2012
Positions eliminated		2,410		480		2,890
Costs incurred and expected to be incurred:
Employee-related costs	$	2,492	$	864	$	3,356
Asset impairment costs		15,878		37,362		53,240
Inventory valuation costs		344		-		344
Other exit or disposal costs		15,206		4,112		19,318
Total exit or disposal costs	$	33,920	$	42,338	$	76,258
Costs incurred since earliest implementation date:
Employee-related costs	$	2,492	$	864	$	3,356
Asset impairment costs		15,878		37,362		53,240
Inventory valuation costs		344		-		344
Other exit or disposal costs		13,749		4,112		17,861
Total exit or disposal costs	$	32,463	$	42,338	$	74,801

	Thirteen Weeks Ended September 29, 2013						Thirteen Weeks Ended September 23, 2012
	Facility Closures		Administrative Integration		Total		Facility Closures		Administrative Integration		Total
	(In thousands)
Asset impairment costs	$	2,629	$	466	$	3,095	$	-	$	-	$	-
Other exit or disposal costs		563		-		563		805		1,993		2,798
Total exit or disposal costs	$	3,192	$	466	$	3,658	$	805	$	1,993	$	2,798

	Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 29, 2013						Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 23, 2012
	Facility Closures		Administrative Integration		Total		Facility Closures		Administrative Integration		Total
	(In thousands)
Employee-related costs	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	78	$	-	$	78
Asset impairment costs		2,629		466		3,095		960		382		1,342
Other exit or disposal costs		1,527		-		1,527		2,737		1,993		4,730
Total exit or disposal costs	$	4,156	$	466	$	4,622	$	3,775	$	2,375	$	6,150

(a)		Significant facilities closed included one processing plant in 2008, two processing plants in 2009, two processing plants in the transition period and one processing plant in 2011. The transition period began September 27, 2009 and ended December 27, 2009 and resulted from the Company's change in its fiscal year end from the Saturday nearest September 30 each year to the last Sunday in December of each year.

(b)		Company management implemented certain activities to integrate the administrative functions of the Company into those of JBS USA. These included the closures of administrative offices in Georgia and Texas.

Accrued severance costs are included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities and accrued inventory charges are included in Inventories on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table sets forth activity that was recorded through the Company's accrued exit or disposal cost accounts during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2013 and September 23, 2012:

	Accrued Severance			Accrued Inventory Charges			Total
	(In thousands)
Balance at December 30, 2012	$	-		$	808		$	808
Accruals		-			-			-
Payment /Disposal		-			(808	)		(808	)
Adjustments		-			-			-
Balance at September 29, 2013	$	-		$	-		$	-

Balance at December 25, 2011	$	90		$	793		$	883
Accruals		-			151			151
Payment /Disposal		(155	)		(136	)		(291	)
Adjustments		78			-			78
Balance at September 23, 2012	$	13		$	808		$	821

Exit or disposal costs were included on the following lines in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income:

	Thirteen Weeks Ended				Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	September 29, 2013		September 23, 2012		September 29, 2013		September 23, 2012
	(In thousands)
Cost of sales	$	-	$	151	$	-	$	229
Administrative restructuring charges		3,658		2,647		4,622		5,921
Total exit or disposal costs	$	3,658	$	2,798	$	4,622	$	6,150

Certain exit or disposal costs were classified as Administrative restructuring charges on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income because management believed these costs were not directly related to the Company's ongoing operations. Components of administrative restructuring charges are summarized below:

	Thirteen Weeks Ended				Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	September 29, 2013		September 23, 2012		September 29, 2013		September 23, 2012
	(In thousands)
Asset impairment costs (Note 6. Property, Plant and Equipment)	$	3,095	$	-	$	3,095	$	1,342
Loss on egg sales and flock depletion expensed as incurred		-		-		-		509
Other restructuring costs		563		2,647		1,527		4,070
Total administrative restructuring charges	$	3,658	$	2,647	$	4,622	$	5,921

We continue to review and evaluate various restructuring and other alternatives to streamline our operations, improve efficiencies and reduce costs. Such initiatives may include selling assets, consolidating operations and functions and voluntary and involuntary employee separation programs. Any such actions may require us to obtain the pre-approval of our lenders under our credit facilities. In addition, such actions will subject the Company to additional short-term costs, which may include asset impairment charges, lease commitment costs, employee retention and severance costs and other costs. Certain of these activities may have a disproportionate impact on our income relative to the cost savings in a particular period.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

14. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Pilgrim's has been and, in some cases, continues to be a party to certain transactions with affiliated persons and our current and former directors and executive officers. Company management has analyzed the terms of all contracts executed with related parties and believes that they are substantially similar to, and contain terms no less favorable to us than, those obtainable from unaffiliated parties.

On December 28, 2009, JBS USA became the holder of the majority of the common stock of the Company. As of September 29, 2013, JBS USA beneficially owned 75.5% of the total outstanding shares of our common stock.

On March 12, 2012, Lonnie A. "Bo" Pilgrim (the "Founder Director") resigned as a director of Pilgrim's. On March 26, 2012, the Founder Director and certain entities related to the Founder Director sold 18,924,438 shares of our common stock to JBS USA. Prior to that sale, the Founder Director and certain entities related to the Founder Director collectively owned the second-largest block of our common stock.

Transactions with JBS USA, JBS USA, LLC (a JBS USA subsidiary) and the former Founder Director recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income are summarized below:

	Thirteen Weeks Ended				Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	September 29, 2013		September 23, 2012		September 29, 2013		September 23, 2012
		(In thousands)
JBS USA:
Subordinated loan interest^(a)	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	971
Letter of credit fees^(b)		513		592		1,697		1,776
JBS USA, LLC:
Purchases from JBS USA, LLC^(c)		19,155		18,136		59,945		49,847
Expenditures paid by JBS USA, LLC on behalf of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation^(d)		11,281		14,469		34,659		44,194
Sales to JBS USA, LLC^(c)		13,996		58,527		49,263		177,894
Expenditures paid by Pilgrim's Pride Corporation on behalf of JBS USA, LLC^(d)		630		1,089		1,313		3,645
Former Founder Director:
Consulting fee paid to former Founder Director^(e)		-		-		-		374
Board fees paid to former Founder Director^(e)		-		-		-		45
Contract grower compensation paid to former Founder Director ^(f)		-		-		-		297
Sales to former Founder Director		-		-		-		1


(a)		On June 23, 2011, we executed a subordinated loan agreement with JBS USA that provided an aggregate loan commitment of $100.0 million and immediately borrowed $50.0 million under the resulting facility at an interest rate of 9.845% per annum. On March 7, 2012, we repaid the outstanding $50.0 million loan, along with $3.5 million accrued interest, and terminated the loan commitment under the agreement.
(b)		Beginning on October 26, 2011, JBS USA arranged for letters of credit to be issued on its account in the amount of $56.5 million to an insurance company on our behalf in order to allow that insurance company to return cash it held as collateral against potential liability claims. We agreed to reimburse JBS USA up to $56.5 million for potential draws upon these letters of credit. We reimburse JBS USA for the letter of credit costs we would have otherwise incurred under our credit facilities. During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2013, we have paid JBS USA $0.6 million and $1.8 million, respectively, for letter of credit costs. As of September 29, 2013, the Company has accrued an obligation of $0.1 million to reimburse JBS USA for letter of credit costs incurred on its behalf.
(c)		We routinely execute transactions to both purchase products from JBS USA, LLC and sell products to them. As of September 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012, the outstanding payable to JBS USA, LLC was $5.9 million and $13.4 million, respectively. As of September 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012, the outstanding receivable from JBS USA, LLC was $4.5 million and $1.5 million, respectively. As of September 29, 2013, approximately $0.8 million of goods from JBS USA, LLC were in transit and not reflected on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
(d)		On January 19, 2010, we executed an agreement with JBS USA, LLC in order to allocate costs associated with the procurement of SAP licenses and maintenance services by JBS USA, LLC for the combined companies. Under this agreement, the fees associated with procuring SAP licenses and maintenance services are allocated between us and JBS USA, LLC in proportion to the percentage of licenses used by each company. The agreement expires on the date of expiration, or earlier termination, of each underlying SAP license agreement. During 2013, we have paid JBS USA $1.0 million for the procurement of such licenses and services. On May 5, 2010, we executed an agreement with JBS USA, LLC in order to allocate the costs of supporting the business operations through one consolidated corporate team. Expenditures paid by JBS USA, LLC on our behalf are reimbursed by us and expenditures paid by us on behalf of JBS USA, LLC are reimbursed by JBS USA, LLC. This agreement expires on May 5, 2015. During 2013, we have paid JBS USA, LLC $33.3 million for net expenditures paid by JBS USA, LLC on our behalf. At September 29, 2013, the outstanding net payable to JBS USA resulting from affiliate trade, procurement of SAP licenses and maintenance services and support of the business operations through one consolidated corporate team was $4.5 million.
(e)		On December 28, 2009, we executed a consulting agreement with the former Founder Director. The terms of the agreement on that date included, among other things, that the former Founder Director (i) will provide services to us that are comparable in the aggregate with the services provided by him to us prior to December 28, 2009, (ii) will be appointed to our Board of Directors and, during the term of the agreement, will be nominated for subsequent terms on the Board, (iii) will be compensated for services rendered to us at a rate of $1.5 million per annum for a term of five years, (iv) will be subject to customary non-solicitation and non-competition provisions and (v) will be, along with his spouse, provided with medical benefits (or will be compensated for medical coverage) that are comparable in the aggregate to the medical benefits afforded to our employees. As a result of his resignation as Founder Director, we are no longer required to nominate the Founder Director to serve subsequent terms on the Board. During the period in 2012 in which the former Founder Director was a related party, we paid $0.4 million to him under this agreement.
(f)		We have executed various grower contracts with the former Founder Director that provide for the placement of our flocks on farms owned by the former Founder Director during the grow-out phase of production. These contracts include terms that are substantially identical to those included in contracts executed by us with unaffiliated parties. The former Founder Director can terminate the contracts upon completion of the grow-out phase for each flock. We can terminate the contracts within a specified period of time pursuant to regulations by the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. During the period in 2012 in which the former Founder Director was a related party, we paid $0.3 million to him under these contracts.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for related party transactions. Examples of related party transactions include transactions between (a) a parent company and its subsidiary; (b) subsidiaries of a common parent; (c) and entity and its principal owners; and (d) affiliates.

+ References + Details

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	9 Months Ended
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	Sep. 29, 2013
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES We are a party to many routine contracts in which we provide general indemnities in the normal course of business to third parties for various risks. Among other considerations, we have not recorded a liability for any of these indemnities as based upon the likelihood of payment, the fair value of such indemnities would not have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of business. In the Company's opinion, it has made appropriate and adequate accruals for claims where necessary; however, the ultimate liability for these matters is uncertain, and if significantly different than the amounts accrued, the ultimate outcome could have a material effect on the financial condition or results of operations of the Company. For a discussion of the material legal proceedings and claims, see Part II, Item 1. "Legal Proceedings." Below is a summary of some of these material proceedings and claims. The Company believes it has substantial defenses to the claims made and intends to vigorously defend these cases. On December 1, 2008, Pilgrim's and six of its subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division ("Bankruptcy Court"). The cases were jointly administered under Case No. 08-45664. The Company emerged from Chapter 11 on December 28, 2009. The Company is the named defendant in several pre-petition lawsuits that, as of September 29, 2013, have not been resolved. Among the claims presently pending are claims brought against certain current and former directors, executive officers and employees of the Company, the Pilgrim's Pride Administrative Committee and the Pilgrim's Pride Pension Committee seeking unspecified damages under section 502 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"), 29 U.S.C. § 1132. These claims were brought by individual participants in the Pilgrim's Pride Retirement Savings Plan, individually and on behalf of a putative class, alleging that the defendants breached fiduciary duties to plan participants and beneficiaries or otherwise violated ERISA. Although the Company is not a named defendant in these claims, our bylaws require us to indemnify our current and former directors and officers from any liabilities and expenses incurred by them in connection with actions they took in good faith while serving as an officer or director. In these actions the plaintiffs assert claims in excess of $35.0 million. The likelihood of an unfavorable outcome or the amount or range of any possible loss to the Company cannot be determined at this time. Other claims presently pending against the Company are claims seeking unspecified damages brought by current or former contract chicken growers who allege, along with other assertions, that the Company breached grower contracts and made false representations to induce the plaintiffs into building chicken farms and entering into chicken growing agreements with the Company. In the case styled Shelia Adams, et al. v. Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, on September 30, 2011, the trial court issued its findings of fact and conclusions of law stating that the Company violated section 192(e) of the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 by purportedly attempting to manipulate the price of chicken by idling the El Dorado, Arkansas complex and rejecting the El Dorado growers' contracts. The trial court awarded damages in the amount of $25.8 million. Afterward, the Company filed post-judgment motions attacking the trial court's findings of fact and conclusions of law, which, on December 28, 2011, were granted in part and resulted in a reduction of the damages award from $25.8 million to $25.6 million. On January 19, 2012, the Company appealed the findings of fact and conclusions of law and decision concerning the post-judgment motions to the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Oral argument occurred December 3, 2012. On August 27, 2013, the Fifth Circuit reversed the judgment, and entered a judgment in favor of the Company. Plaintiffs thereafter filed a petition for rehearing en banc. Plaintiffs' petition for rehearing was denied on October 15, 2013. Plaintiffs may seek discretionary review from the Supreme Court of the United States, and any such petition in that regard will be due January 13, 2014. If such petition is granted, the Company intends to vigorously pursue its appellate rights and defend against reinstatement of the underlying judgment of the trial court. The Fifth Circuit's decision and prior favorable trial court rulings regarding the El Dorado grower' claims suggest that the likelihood of any recovery by growers remaining in the case is too remote to maintain the previously-recorded loss accrual. Therefore, the Company reversed the accrual on September 1, 2013. The remaining growers' claims were scheduled for trial during the summer and fall of 2012. Although the trial associated with the growers' claims from the Farmerville, Louisiana complex was completed without a ruling, the trial associated with the growers' claims from the Nacogdoches, Texas complex have not been completed and the trial court has not scheduled a date for resuming the trial, and the trials associated with the growers' claims from the De Queen and Batesville, Arkansas complexes have been indefinitely postponed by court order. The Company intends to vigorously defend against these claims. Although the likelihood of financial loss related to the remaining growers' claims is reasonably possible, an estimate of potential loss cannot be determined at this time because of now conflicting legal authority, the factual nature of the various growers' individual claims and a new judge who will preside over the remaining bench trials. There can be no assurances that other similar claims may not be brought against the Company. The United States Department of Treasury, IRS filed an amended proof of claim in the Bankruptcy Court pursuant to which the IRS asserted claims that total $74.7 million. We filed in the Bankruptcy Court (i) an objection to the IRS' amended proof of claim, and (ii) a motion requesting the Bankruptcy Court to determine our U.S. federal tax liability pursuant to Sections 105 and 505 of the Bankruptcy Code. The objection and motion asserted that the Company had no liability for the additional U.S. federal taxes that have been asserted for pre-petition periods by the IRS. The IRS responded in opposition to our objection and motion. On July 8, 2010, the Bankruptcy Court granted our unopposed motion requesting that the Bankruptcy Court abstain from determining our federal tax liability. As a result we have worked with the IRS through the normal processes and procedures that are available to all taxpayers outside of bankruptcy (including the Tax Court proceedings discussed below) to resolve the IRS' amended proof of claim. On December 12, 2012 we entered into two Stipulations with the IRS. The first Stipulation relates to the Company's 2003, 2005, and 2007 tax years and resolves all of the material issues in the case. The second Stipulation relates to the Company as the successor in interest to Gold Kist for the tax years ended June 30, 2005 and September 30, 2005, and resolves all substantive issues in the case. These Stipulations account for approximately $29.3 million of the amended proof of claim and should result in no additional tax due. In connection with the amended proof of claim, on May 26, 2010, we filed a petition in Tax Court in response to a Notice of Deficiency that was issued to the Company as the successor in interest to Gold Kist. The Notice of Deficiency and the Tax Court proceeding relate to a loss that Gold Kist claimed for its tax year ended June 30, 2004. This proceeding accounts for approximately $45.4 million of the amended proof of claim and the Company is still working with the IRS through the normal processes and procedures to resolve this portion of the IRS' amended proof of claim. Upon the initial filing of the Gold Kist tax return for the year ended June 30, 2004, the Company assessed the likelihood that the position related to the proceeding would be sustained upon examination and determined that it met the recognition threshold and the full amount of benefit was recognized. We continue to believe the position is more likely than not of being sustained. If adversely determined, the outcome could have a material effect on the Company's operating results and financial position.

SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION [Abstract]

SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION

16. SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION

On December 15, 2010, the Company sold the 2018 Notes. The 2018 Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by Pilgrim's Pride Corporation of West Virginia, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (the "Guarantor"). In accordance with Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, the following condensed consolidating financial statements present the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company (referred to as "Parent" for the purpose of this note only) on a Parent-only basis, the Guarantor on a Guarantor-only basis, the combined non-Guarantor subsidiaries and elimination entries necessary to arrive at the information for the Parent, the Guarantor and non-Guarantor subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. Investments in subsidiaries are accounted for by the Company using the equity method for this presentation.

The tables below present the condensed consolidating balance sheets as of September 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012, the condensed consolidating statements of operations and comprehensive income for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2013 and September 23, 2012, as well as the condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2013 and September 23, 2012 based on the guarantor structure.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
September 29, 2013

(In thousands)
				Subsidiary		Subsidiary			Eliminations/
	Parent			Guarantor		Non-Guarantors			Adjustments			Consolidation
Cash and cash equivalents	$	259,985		$	-	$	70,331		$	-		$	330,316
Trade accounts and other receivables, less allowance for
doubtful accounts		352,947			1,925		52,130			-			407,002
Account receivable from JBS USA, LLC		4,454			-		-			-			4,454
Inventories		793,614			23,845		94,507			(880	)		911,086
Income taxes receivable		60,948			-		6,288			(587	)		66,649
Current deferred tax assets		-			3,794		506			(4,300	)		-
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		37,356			110		35,359			-			72,825
Assets held for sale		8,618			-		16,702			-			25,320
Total current assets		1,517,922			29,674		275,823			(5,767	)		1,817,652
Intercompany receivable		(27,638	)		95,893		-			(68,255	)		-
Investment in subsidiaries		457,862			-		-			(457,862	)		-
Deferred tax assets		63,292			-		419			(4,091	)		59,620
Other long-lived assets		38,263			-		180,568			(180,000	)		38,831
Identified intangible assets, net		24,444			-		9,516			-			33,960
Property, plant and equipment, net		1,014,598			45,529		103,119			(3,888	)		1,159,358
Total assets	$	3,088,743		$	171,096	$	569,445		$	(719,863	)	$	3,109,421
Accounts payable	$	309,014		$	13,086	$	47,934		$	-		$	370,034
Accounts payable to JBS USA, LLC		5,893			-		-			-			5,893
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		307,251			31,325		(36,481	)		-			302,095
Income taxes payable		-			-		587			(587	)		-
Current deferred tax liabilities		84,572			-		577			(4,300	)		80,849
Current maturities of long-term debt		396			-		-			-			396
Total current liabilities		707,126			44,411		12,617			(4,887	)		759,267
Long-term debt, less current maturities		937,019			-		-			(25,000	)		912,019
Intercompany payable		-			-		68,255			(68,255	)		-
Deferred tax liabilities		-			3,794		297			(4,091	)		-
Other long-term liabilities		81,406			-		3,160			-			84,566
Total liabilities		1,725,551			48,205		84,329			(102,233	)		1,755,852
Total Pilgrim's Pride Corporation stockholders'
equity		1,363,192			122,891		482,651			(617,630	)		1,351,104
Noncontrolling interest		-			-		2,465			-			2,465
Total stockholders' equity		1,363,192			122,891		485,116			(617,630	)		1,353,569
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	3,088,743		$	171,096	$	569,445		$	(719,863	)	$	3,109,421

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
December 30, 2012

(In thousands)
			Subsidiary		Subsidiary		Eliminations/
	Parent		Guarantor		Non-Guarantors		Adjustments			Consolidation
Cash and cash equivalents	$	27,657	$	-	$	40,523	$	-		$	68,180
Trade accounts and other receivables, less
allowance for doubtful accounts		326,031		1,843		57,056		-			384,930
Account receivable from JBS USA, LLC		1,514		-		-		-			1,514
Inventories		802,282		22,813		125,201		-			950,296
Income taxes receivable		55,306		-		-		(587	)		54,719
Current deferred tax assets		-		3,794		506		(4,300	)		-
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		29,603		-		26,444		-			56,047
Assets held for sale		9,808		-		17,234		-			27,042
Total current assets		1,252,201		28,450		266,964		(4,887	)		1,542,728
Investment in available-for-sale securities		-		-		-		-			-
Intercompany receivable		19,860		53,706		-		(73,566	)		-
Investment in subsidiaries		376,226		-		-		(376,226	)		-
Deferred tax assets		101,100		-		422		(4,091	)		97,431
Other long-lived assets		44,936		-		180,587		(180,000	)		45,523
Identified intangible assets, net		27,386		-		10,880		-			38,266
Property, plant and equipment, net		1,043,696		45,746		104,368		(3,889	)		1,189,921
Total assets	$	2,865,405	$	127,902	$	563,221	$	(642,659	)	$	2,913,869
Accounts payable	$	255,517	$	4,270	$	52,578	$	-		$	312,365
Accounts payable to JBS USA, LLC		13,436		-		-		-			13,436
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		230,278		24,265		28,997		-			283,540
Income taxes payable		-		-		1,055		(587	)		468
Current deferred tax liabilities		108,201		-		581		(4,300	)		104,482
Current maturities of long-term debt		15,886		-		-		-			15,886
Total current liabilities		623,318		28,535		83,211		(4,887	)		730,177
Long-term debt, less current maturities		1,173,870		-		-		(25,000	)		1,148,870
Intercompany payable		-		-		73,566		(73,566	)		-
Deferred tax liabilities		-		3,794		297		(4,091	)		-
Other long-term liabilities		122,580		-		3,245		-			125,825
Total liabilities		1,919,768		32,329		160,319		(107,544	)		2,004,872
Total Pilgrim's Pride Corporation stockholders'
equity		945,637		95,573		400,276		(535,115	)		906,371
Noncontrolling interest		-		-		2,626		-			2,626
Total stockholders' equity		945,637		95,573		402,902		(535,115	)		908,997
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	2,865,405	$	127,902	$	563,221	$	(642,659	)	$	2,913,869

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Thirteen Weeks Ended September 29, 2013

(In thousands)
				Subsidiary		Subsidiary			Eliminations/
	Parent			Guarantor		Non-Guarantors			Adjustments			Consolidation
Net sales	$	1,889,353		$	132,942	$	245,372		$	(124,852	)	$	2,142,815
Cost of sales		1,676,605			117,753		235,856			(123,972	)		1,906,242
Gross profit		212,748			15,189		9,516			(880	)		236,573
Selling, general and administrative expense		36,976			1,068		5,753			-			43,797
Administrative restructuring charges		3,126			-		532			-			3,658
Operating income		172,646			14,121		3,231			(880	)		189,118
Interest expense, net		20,246			-		167			-			20,413
Interest income		(8	)		-		(563	)		-			(571	)
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains)		(1	)		-		2,683			-			2,682
Miscellaneous, net		(1,508	)		1,260		(98	)		338			(8	)
Income before income taxes		153,917			12,861		1,042			(1,218	)		166,602
Income tax expense (benefit)		13,643			-		(8,065	)		-			5,578
Income before equity in earnings of consolidated
subsidiaries		140,274			12,861		9,107			(1,218	)		161,024
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		20,643			-		-			(20,643	)		-
Net income		160,917			12,861		9,107			(21,861	)		161,024
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		-			-		107			-			107
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride
Corporation	$	160,917		$	12,861	$	9,000		$	(21,861	)	$	160,917

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Thirteen Weeks Ended September 29, 2013

(In thousands)
			Subsidiary		Subsidiary		Eliminations/
	Parent		Guarantor		Non-Guarantors		Adjustments			Consolidation
Net income	$	160,917	$	12,861	$	9,107	$	(21,861	)	$	161,024
Other comprehensive income:
Gains associated with pension and other
postretirement benefits, net of tax		313		-		-		-			313
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax		313		-		-		-			313
Comprehensive income		161,230		12,861		9,107		(21,861	)		161,337
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to
noncontrolling interests		-		-		107		-			107
Comprehensive income attributable to
Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$	161,230	$	12,861	$	9,000	$	(21,861	)	$	161,230

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Thirteen Weeks Ended September 23, 2012

(In thousands)
				Subsidiary			Subsidiary			Eliminations/
	Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantors			Adjustments			Consolidation
Net sales	$	1,809,883		$	71,124		$	246,519		$	(59,048	)	$	2,068,478
Cost of sales		1,741,370			64,999			215,022			(59,048	)		1,962,343
Gross profit		68,513			6,125			31,497			-			106,135
Selling, general and administrative expense		37,172			-			4,610			-			41,782
Administrative restructuring charges		2,647			-			-			-			2,647
Operating income		28,694			6,125			26,887			-			61,706
Interest expense, net		25,464			-			(204	)		-			25,260
Interest income, net		(277	)		-			21			-			(256	)
Foreign currency transaction gains		(33	)		-			(7,668	)		-			(7,701	)
Miscellaneous, net		(348	)		(2	)		560			203			413
Income before income taxes		3,888			6,127			34,178			(203	)		43,990
Income tax expense (benefit)		(3,584	)		2,313			2,320			-			1,049
Income before equity in earnings of
consolidated subsidiaries		7,472			3,814			31,858			(203	)		42,941
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		35,459			-			-			(35,459	)		-
Net income		42,931			3,814			31,858			(35,662	)		42,941
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		-			-			10			-			10
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride
Corporation	$	42,931		$	3,814		$	31,848		$	(35,662	)	$	42,931

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Thirteen Weeks Ended September 23, 2012

(In thousands)
				Subsidiary		Subsidiary			Eliminations/
	Parent			Guarantor		Non-Guarantors			Adjustments			Consolidation
Net income	$	42,931		$	3,814	$	31,858		$	(35,662	)	$	42,941
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale
securities, net of tax		-			-		(12	)		-			(12	)
Gains associated with pension and other
postretirement benefits, net of tax		(5,115	)		-		-			-			(5,115	)
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax		(5,115	)		-		(12	)		-			(5,127	)
Comprehensive income		37,816			3,814		31,846			(35,662	)		37,814
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to
noncontrolling interests		-			-		10			-			10
Comprehensive income attributable to
Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$	37,816		$	3,814	$	31,836		$	(35,662	)	$	37,804

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 29, 2013

(In thousands)
				Subsidiary		Subsidiary			Eliminations/
	Parent			Guarantor		Non-Guarantors			Adjustments			Consolidation
Net sales	$	5,538,779		$	404,360	$	801,270		$	(380,546	)	$	6,363,863
Cost of sales		5,059,584			366,769		679,661			(379,666	)		5,726,348
Gross profit		479,195			37,591		121,609			(880	)		637,515
Selling, general and administrative expense		111,473			3,187		17,228			-			131,888
Administrative restructuring charges		4,090			-		532			-			4,622
Operating income		363,632			34,404		103,849			(880	)		501,005
Interest expense, net		67,710			-		489			-			68,199
Interest income		(14	)		-		(1,480	)		-			(1,494	)
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains)		(10	)		-		4,781			-			4,771
Miscellaneous, net		(5,254	)		3,569		435			520			(730	)
Income before income taxes		301,200			30,835		99,624			(1,400	)		430,259
Income tax expense		528			5,764		17,924			-			24,216
Income before equity in earnings of consolidated
subsidiaries		300,672			25,071		81,700			(1,400	)		406,043
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		105,532			-		-			(105,532	)		-
Net income		406,204			25,071		81,700			(106,932	)		406,043
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		-			-		(161	)		-			(161	)
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride
Corporation	$	406,204		$	25,071	$	81,861		$	(106,932	)	$	406,204

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 29, 2013

(In thousands)
			Subsidiary		Subsidiary			Eliminations/
	Parent		Guarantor		Non-Guarantors			Adjustments			Consolidation
Net income	$	406,204	$	25,071	$	81,700		$	(106,932	)	$	406,043
Other comprehensive income:
Gains associated with pension and other
postretirement benefits, net of tax		36,114		-		-			-			36,114
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax		36,114		-		-			-			36,114
Comprehensive income		442,318		25,071		81,700			(106,932	)		442,157
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to
noncontrolling interests		-		-		(161	)		-			(161	)
Comprehensive income attributable to
Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$	442,318	$	25,071	$	81,861		$	(106,932	)	$	442,318

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 23, 2012

(In thousands)
				Subsidiary			Subsidiary			Eliminations/
	Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantors			Adjustments			Consolidation
Net sales	$	5,192,507		$	219,464		$	707,363		$	(187,614	)	$	5,931,720
Cost of sales		4,934,941			198,081			626,023			(187,614	)		5,571,431
Gross profit		257,566			21,383			81,340			-			360,289
Selling, general and administrative expense		116,726			-			14,751			-			131,477
Administrative restructuring charges		5,916			-			5			-			5,921
Operating income		134,924			21,383			66,584			-			222,891
Interest expense, net		78,234			-			196			-			78,430
Interest income		(293	)		-			(593	)		-			(886	)
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains)		15			-			(5,432	)		-			(5,417	)
Miscellaneous, net		(829	)		(13	)		160			410			(272	)
Income before income taxes		57,797			21,396			72,253			(410	)		151,036
Income tax expense (benefit)		(10,671	)		8,077			1,938			-			(656	)
Income before equity in earnings of
consolidated subsidiaries		68,468			13,319			70,315			(410	)		151,692
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		82,994			-			-			(82,994	)		-
Net income		151,462			13,319			70,315			(83,404	)		151,692
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		-			-			230			-			230
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride
Corporation	$	151,462		$	13,319		$	70,085		$	(83,404	)	$	151,462

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 23, 2012

(In thousands)
				Subsidiary		Subsidiary			Eliminations/
	Parent			Guarantor		Non-Guarantors			Adjustments			Consolidation
Net income	$	151,462		$	13,319	$	70,315		$	(83,404	)	$	151,692
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale
securities, net of tax		-			-		(12	)		-			(12	)
Gains associated with pension and other
postretirement benefits, net of tax		(16,140	)		-		-			-			(16,140	)
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax		(16,140	)		-		(12	)		-			(16,152	)
Comprehensive income		135,322			13,319		70,303			(83,404	)		135,540
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to
noncontrolling interests		-			-		230			-			230
Comprehensive income attributable to
Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$	135,322		$	13,319	$	70,073		$	(83,404	)	$	135,310

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 29, 2013

(In thousands)
				Subsidiary			Subsidiary			Eliminations/
	Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantors			Adjustments			Consolidation
Cash flows provided by operating activities	$	551,027		$	4,235		$	41,974		$	(520	)	$	596,716
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment		(63,298	)		(4,240	)		(8,755	)		-			(76,293	)
Purchases of investment securities		-			-			-			-			-
Proceeds from property sales and disposals		2,288			5			1,037			-			3,330
Cash used in investing activities		(61,010	)		(4,235	)		(7,718	)		-			(72,963	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on note payable to JBS USA Holdings, Inc.		-			-			-			-			-
Proceeds from long-term debt		505,600			-			-			-			505,600
Payments on long-term debt		(758,283	)		-			-			-			(758,283	)
Proceeds from sale of common stock		-			-			-			-			-
Payment of capitalized loan costs		(5,006	)		-			-			-			(5,006	)
Other financing activities		-			-			(520	)		520			-
Cash used in financing activities		(257,689	)		-			(520	)		520			(257,689	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		-			-			(3,928	)		-			(3,928	)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents		232,328			-			29,808			-			262,136
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		27,657			-			40,523			-			68,180
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	259,985		$	-		$	70,331		$	-		$	330,316

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 23, 2012

(In thousands)
				Subsidiary			Subsidiary			Eliminations/
	Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantors			Adjustments			Consolidation
Cash flows provided by operating activities	$	138,384		$	1,299		$	16,257		$	21		$	155,961
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment		(53,577	)		(1,329	)		(7,204	)		-			(62,110	)
Purchases of investment securities		(73	)		-			(89	)		-			(162	)
Proceeds from sale or maturity of investment securities		57			-			631			-			688
Proceeds from property sales and disposals		27,360			-			1,327			-			28,687
Cash used in investing activities		(26,233	)		(1,329	)		(5,335	)		-			(32,897	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on note payable to JBS USA Holdings, Inc.		(50,000	)		-			-			-			(50,000	)
Proceeds from long-term debt		595,800			-			-			-			595,800
Payments on long-term debt		(853,008	)		-			-			-			(853,008	)
Proceeds from sale of common stock		198,282			-			-			-			198,282
Other financing activities		-			-			21			(21	)		-
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(108,926	)		-			21			(21	)		(108,926	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		-			-			(717	)		-			(717	)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		3,225			(30	)		10,226			-			13,421
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		13,733			30			27,846			-			41,609
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	16,958		$	-		$	38,072		$	-		$	55,030

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION [Abstract]
Consolidated Financial Statements	Consolidated Financial Statements The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal and recurring adjustments unless otherwise disclosed) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 29, 2013. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2012. Pilgrim's operates on a 52/53-week fiscal year that ends on the Sunday falling on or before December 31. The reader should assume any reference we make to a particular year (for example, 2013) in the notes to these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements applies to our fiscal year and not the calendar year. The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries. We eliminate all significant affiliate accounts and transactions upon consolidation. The Company measures the financial statements of its Mexico subsidiaries as if the U.S. dollar were the functional currency. Accordingly, we remeasure assets and liabilities, other than non-monetary assets, of the Mexico subsidiaries at current exchange rates. We remeasure non-monetary assets using the historical exchange rate in effect on the date of each asset's acquisition, with the exception of inventories that are remeasured using an exchange rate based on inventory turnover. We remeasure income and expenses at average exchange rates in effect during the period. Currency exchange gains or losses are included in the line item Foreign currency transaction losses (gains) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
Reportable Segment	Reportable Segment We operate in one reportable business segment, as a producer and seller of chicken products we either produce or purchase for resale.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition We recognize revenue when all of the following circumstances are satisfied: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) price is fixed or determinable, (iii) collectability is reasonably assured and (iv) delivery has occurred. Delivery occurs in the period in which the customer takes title and assumes the risks and rewards of ownership of the products specified in the customer's purchase order or sales agreement. Revenue is recorded net of estimated incentive offerings including special pricing agreements, promotions and other volume-based incentives. Revisions to these estimates are charged back to net sales in the period in which the facts that give rise to the revision become known.
Book Overdraft	Book Overdraft The majority of the Company's disbursement bank accounts are zero balance accounts where cash needs are funded as checks are presented for payment by the holder. Checks issued pending clearance that result in overdraft balances for accounting purposes are classified as accounts payable and the change in the related balance is reflected in operating activities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications We have made certain reclassifications to the 2012 Consolidated Financial Statements with no impact to reported net income in order to conform to the 2013 presentation.

- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for revenue recognition. If the entity has different policies for different types of revenue transactions, the policy for each material type of transaction is generally disclosed. If a sales transaction has multiple element arrangements (for example, delivery of multiple products, services or the rights to use assets) the disclosure may indicate the accounting policy for each unit of accounting as well as how units of accounting are determined and valued. The disclosure may encompass important judgment as to appropriateness of principles related to recognition of revenue. The disclosure also may indicate the entity's treatment of any unearned or deferred revenue that arises from the transaction.

+ References + Details

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS [Abstract]

Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis

	September 29, 2013
	Level 1			Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Derivative assets - commodity futures instruments	$	1,394		$	-	$	-	$	1,394
Derivative assets - commodity options instruments		-			1,822		-		1,822
Derivative assets - foreign currency futures instruments		238			-		-		238
Deferred compensation plan assets		7,440			-		-		7,440
Derivative liabilities - commodity futures instruments		(3,545	)		-		-		(3,545	)

	December 30, 2012
	Level 1			Level 2		Level 3		Total
	(In thousands)
Derivative assets - commodity futures instruments	$	1,821		$	-	$	-	$	1,821
Deferred compensation plan assets		7,591			-		-		7,591
Derivative liabilities - commodity futures instruments		(1,530	)		-		-		(1,530	)

Schedule of Carrying Amounts and Estimated Fair Values of Financial Assets and Liabilities

	September 29, 2013						December 30, 2012
	Carrying			Fair			Carrying			Fair			Note
	Amount			Value			Amount			Value			Reference
					(In thousands)
Derivative assets - commodity futures instruments	$	1,394		$	1,394		$	1,821		$	1,821		5
Derivative assets - commodity options instruments		1,822			1,822			-			-		5
Derivative assets - foreign currency futures instruments		238			238			-			-		5
Deferred compensation plan assets		7,440			7,440			7,591			7,591
Derivative liabilities - commodity futures instruments		(3,545	)		(3,545	)		(1,530	)		(1,530	)	5
Long-term debt and other borrowing arrangements		(912,415	)		(973,089	)		(1,164,756	)		(1,208,730	)	8

TRADE ACCOUNTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

TRADE ACCOUNTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES [Abstract]

Schedule of Trade Accounts and Other Receivables

	September 29, 2013			December 30, 2012
	(In thousands)
Trade accounts receivable	$	399,290		$	381,747
Account receivable from JBS USA, LLC		4,454			1,514
Employee receivables		22			48
Other receivables		12,827			6,892
Receivables, gross		416,593			390,201
Allowance for doubtful accounts		(5,137	)		(3,757	)
Receivables, net	$	411,456		$	386,444

INVENTORIES (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

INVENTORIES [Abstract]

Schedule of Inventories

	September 29, 2013		December 30, 2012
	(In thousands)
Live chicken and hens	$	420,644	$	405,335
Feed, eggs and other		244,250		307,500
Finished chicken products		245,939		237,159
Total chicken inventories		910,833		949,994
Commercial feed and other		253		302
Total inventories	$	911,086	$	950,296

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS [Abstract]

Schedule of Outstanding Derivative Instruments and Cash Collateral

	September 29, 2013			December 30, 2012
	(Fair values in thousands)
Fair values:
Commodity derivative assets, gross	$	3,216		$	1,821
Commodity derivative liabilities, gross		(3,545	)		(1,530	)
Cash collateral posted with (owed to) brokers		9,423			(166	)
Foreign currency derivative assets, gross		238			-
Derivatives Coverage^(a):
Corn		(0.3	)%		-	%
Soybean meal		(2.4	)%		-	%
Period through which stated percent of needs are covered:
Corn		December 2014			December 2013
Soybean meal		March 2014			December 2013

(a)		Derivatives coverage is the percent of anticipated commodity needs covered by outstanding derivative instruments through a specified date.

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT [Abstract]

Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment

	September 29, 2013			December 30, 2012
	(In thousands)
Land	$	65,341		$	63,788
Buildings		1,083,288			1,081,059
Machinery and equipment		1,535,378			1,498,280
Autos and trucks		58,379			58,526
Construction-in-progress		48,263			47,927
PP&E, gross		2,790,649			2,749,580
Accumulated depreciation		(1,631,291	)		(1,559,659	)
PP&E, net	$	1,159,358		$	1,189,921

CURRENT LIABILITIES (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

CURRENT LIABILITIES [Abstract]

Schedule of Current Liabilities

	September 29, 2013		December 30, 2012
	(In thousands)
Accounts payable:
Trade accounts	$	294,131	$	252,644
Book overdrafts		74,911		58,066
Other payables		992		1,655
Total accounts payable		370,034		312,365
Accounts payable to JBS USA, LLC		5,893		13,436
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities:
Compensation and benefits		83,107		77,376
Interest and debt-related fees		17,560		10,740
Insurance and self-insured claims		117,119		108,806
Commodity derivative liabilities:
Futures		3,545		1,530
Other accrued expenses		80,764		85,088
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities		302,095		283,540
	$	678,022	$	609,341

LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER BORROWING ARRANGEMENTS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER BORROWING ARRANGEMENTS [Abstract]

Schedule of Long-term Debt and Other Borrowing Arrangments

	Maturity	September 30, 2013			December 30, 2012
		(In thousands)
Senior notes, at 7 ⅞%, net of unaccreted discount	2018	$	497,643		$	497,301
U.S. Credit Facility (defined below):
Term B-1 note payable at 2.44% and 4.75%	2014		204,880			275,443
Term B-2 note payable at 9.00%	2014		205,219			283,647
Revolving note payable on which the Company had funds borrowed at 4.25% at December 30, 2012	2018		-			103,600
Mexico Credit Facility (defined below) with notes payable at TIIE Rate plus 2.25% or Equilibrium Interbank Interest Rate plus 4.5%	2014		-			-
Other	Various		4,673			4,765
Long-term debt			912,415			1,164,756
Less: Current maturities of long-term debt			(396	)		(15,886	)
Long-term debt, less current maturities		$	912,019		$	1,148,870

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS [Abstract]

Schedule of Net Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Costs

	Thirteen Weeks Ended											Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	September 29, 2013					September 23, 2012						September 29, 2013					September 23, 2012
	Pension Benefits			Other Benefits		Pension Benefits			Other Benefits			Pension Benefits			Other Benefits		Pension Benefits			Other Benefits
	(In thousands)
Service cost	$	(20	)	$	-	$	13		$	-		$	-		$	-	$	38		$	-
Interest cost		1,988			20		2,147			25			5,965			59		6,204			72
Estimated return on plan assets		(1,349	)		-		(2,126	)		-			(4,048	)		-		(4,997	)		-
Amortization of net loss (gain)		250			-		(483	)		(1	)		751			-		348			(2	)
Net costs	$	869		$	20	$	(449	)	$	24		$	2,668		$	59	$	1,593		$	70

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]

Schedule of Changes in Unrealized Actuarial Losses

	Changes in Unrealized Actuarial Losses^(a)
	(In thousands)
Balance, beginning of period	$	(68,511	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications		35,363
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income		751
Net current period other comprehensive income		36,114
Balance, end of period	$	(32,397	)


(a)		All amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits.

Schedule of Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Components	Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss^(a)				Affected Line Item in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income
	(In thousands)
Amortization of defined benefit pension and other
postretirement plan actuarial losses:
Union Plan^(b)	$	(27	)	^(d)	Cost of goods sold
Legacy Gold Kist Plans^(c)		(724	)	^(d)	Selling, general and administrative expense
Total before tax		(751	)
Tax benefit (expense)		-
Total reclassification for the period	$	(751	)		Net of tax


(a)		Amounts in parentheses represent debits to results of operations.
(b)		The Company sponsors the Pilgrim's Pride Retirement Plan for Union Employees (the "Union Plan"), a qualified defined benefit pension plan covering certain locations or work groups with collective bargaining agreements.
(c)		The Company sponsors the Pilgrim's Pride Plan for Legacy Gold Kist Employees, a qualified defined benefit pension plan covering certain eligible U.S. employees who were employed at locations that the Company purchased through its acquisition of Gold Kist in 2007, the Former Gold Kist Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, a nonqualified defined benefit retirement plan covering certain former Gold Kist executives, the Former Gold Kist Inc. Directors' Emeriti Plan, a nonqualified defined benefit retirement plan covering certain former Gold Kist directors and the Gold Kist Inc. Retiree Life Insurance Plan, a defined benefit postretirement life insurance plan covering certain retired Gold Kist employees (collectively, the "Legacy Gold Kist Plans").
(d)		These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See "Note 10. Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits" to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

INCENTIVE COMPENSATION (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

INCENTIVE COMPENSATION [Abstract]

Schedule of Awards

Estimated

Award

Vesting

Forfeiture

Settlement

Type

Benefit Plan

Quantity

Grant Date

Condition

Vesting Date

Rate

Method

RSA

Employment Agreement

100,000

January 14, 2011

Service

January 3, 2013

Stock

RSA

Employment Agreement

100,000

January 14, 2011

Service

January 3, 2014

Stock

RSA

LTIP

72,675

August 27, 2012

Service

April 27, 2014

Stock

RSU

LTIP

608,561

February 4, 2013

Service

December 31, 2014

9.6559

Stock

RSA

LTIP

15,000

February 25, 2013

Service

February 24, 2015

Stock

RSA

LTIP

15,000

February 25, 2013

Service

February 24, 2016

Stock

RSU

LTIP

206,933

February 26, 2013

Service

December 31, 2014

Stock

Schedule of Compensation Cost and Income Tax Benefit

	Thirteen Weeks Ended				Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	September 29, 2013		September 23, 2012		September 29, 2013		September 23, 2012
	(In thousands)
Share-based compensation costs:
Cost of goods sold	$	102	$	-	$	255	$	-
Selling, general and administrative expenses		711		166		2,160		464
Total	$	813	$	166	$	2,415	$	464

Income tax benefit	$	151	$	-	$	488	$	-

Schedule of Restricted Share and Restricted Stock Unit Activity

	Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	September 29, 2013				September 23, 2012
			Weighted Average			Weighted Average
	Number		Grant Date Fair Value		Number	Grant Date Fair Value
	(In thousands, except weighted average fair values)
RSAs:
Outstanding at beginning of period	273		$	6.54	200	$	7.10
Granted	30			8.72	-		-
Vested	(100	)		7.10	-		-
Outstanding at end of period	203		$	6.59	200	$	7.10

RSUs:
Outstanding at beginning of period	-		$	-	-	$	-
Granted	815			8.82	-		-
Forfeited	(72	)		8.89	-		-
Outstanding at end of period	743		$	8.81	-	$	-

EXIT OR DISPOSAL ACTIVITIES (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

EXIT OR DISPOSAL ACTIVITIES [Abstract]

Schedule of Exit or Disposal Efforts

	Facility Closures^(a)		Administrative Integration ^(b)		Total
	(In thousands, except positions eliminated)
Earliest implementation date		October 2008		January 2010
Latest expected completion date		September 2014		September 2012
Positions eliminated		2,410		480		2,890
Costs incurred and expected to be incurred:
Employee-related costs	$	2,492	$	864	$	3,356
Asset impairment costs		15,878		37,362		53,240
Inventory valuation costs		344		-		344
Other exit or disposal costs		15,206		4,112		19,318
Total exit or disposal costs	$	33,920	$	42,338	$	76,258
Costs incurred since earliest implementation date:
Employee-related costs	$	2,492	$	864	$	3,356
Asset impairment costs		15,878		37,362		53,240
Inventory valuation costs		344		-		344
Other exit or disposal costs		13,749		4,112		17,861
Total exit or disposal costs	$	32,463	$	42,338	$	74,801

	Thirteen Weeks Ended September 29, 2013						Thirteen Weeks Ended September 23, 2012
	Facility Closures		Administrative Integration		Total		Facility Closures		Administrative Integration		Total
	(In thousands)
Asset impairment costs	$	2,629	$	466	$	3,095	$	-	$	-	$	-
Other exit or disposal costs		563		-		563		805		1,993		2,798
Total exit or disposal costs	$	3,192	$	466	$	3,658	$	805	$	1,993	$	2,798

	Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 29, 2013						Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 23, 2012
	Facility Closures		Administrative Integration		Total		Facility Closures		Administrative Integration		Total
	(In thousands)
Employee-related costs	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	78	$	-	$	78
Asset impairment costs		2,629		466		3,095		960		382		1,342
Other exit or disposal costs		1,527		-		1,527		2,737		1,993		4,730
Total exit or disposal costs	$	4,156	$	466	$	4,622	$	3,775	$	2,375	$	6,150

(a)		Significant facilities closed included one processing plant in 2008, two processing plants in 2009, two processing plants in the transition period and one processing plant in 2011. The transition period began September 27, 2009 and ended December 27, 2009 and resulted from the Company's change in its fiscal year end from the Saturday nearest September 30 each year to the last Sunday in December of each year.

(b)		Company management implemented certain activities to integrate the administrative functions of the Company into those of JBS USA. These included the closures of administrative offices in Georgia and Texas.

Schedule of Accrued Exit or Disposal Cost Accounts Activity

	Accrued Severance			Accrued Inventory Charges			Total
	(In thousands)
Balance at December 30, 2012	$	-		$	808		$	808
Accruals		-			-			-
Payment /Disposal		-			(808	)		(808	)
Adjustments		-			-			-
Balance at September 29, 2013	$	-		$	-		$	-

Balance at December 25, 2011	$	90		$	793		$	883
Accruals		-			151			151
Payment /Disposal		(155	)		(136	)		(291	)
Adjustments		78			-			78
Balance at September 23, 2012	$	13		$	808		$	821

Schedule of Exit or Disposal Costs

	Thirteen Weeks Ended				Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	September 29, 2013		September 23, 2012		September 29, 2013		September 23, 2012
	(In thousands)
Cost of sales	$	-	$	151	$	-	$	229
Administrative restructuring charges		3,658		2,647		4,622		5,921
Total exit or disposal costs	$	3,658	$	2,798	$	4,622	$	6,150

Schedule of Components of Administrative Restructuring Charges

	Thirteen Weeks Ended				Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	September 29, 2013		September 23, 2012		September 29, 2013		September 23, 2012
	(In thousands)
Asset impairment costs (Note 6. Property, Plant and Equipment)	$	3,095	$	-	$	3,095	$	1,342
Loss on egg sales and flock depletion expensed as incurred		-		-		-		509
Other restructuring costs		563		2,647		1,527		4,070
Total administrative restructuring charges	$	3,658	$	2,647	$	4,622	$	5,921

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

Schedule of Related Party Transactions

	Thirteen Weeks Ended				Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	September 29, 2013		September 23, 2012		September 29, 2013		September 23, 2012
		(In thousands)
JBS USA:
Subordinated loan interest^(a)	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	971
Letter of credit fees^(b)		513		592		1,697		1,776
JBS USA, LLC:
Purchases from JBS USA, LLC^(c)		19,155		18,136		59,945		49,847
Expenditures paid by JBS USA, LLC on behalf of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation^(d)		11,281		14,469		34,659		44,194
Sales to JBS USA, LLC^(c)		13,996		58,527		49,263		177,894
Expenditures paid by Pilgrim's Pride Corporation on behalf of JBS USA, LLC^(d)		630		1,089		1,313		3,645
Former Founder Director:
Consulting fee paid to former Founder Director^(e)		-		-		-		374
Board fees paid to former Founder Director^(e)		-		-		-		45
Contract grower compensation paid to former Founder Director ^(f)		-		-		-		297
Sales to former Founder Director		-		-		-		1


(a)		On June 23, 2011, we executed a subordinated loan agreement with JBS USA that provided an aggregate loan commitment of $100.0 million and immediately borrowed $50.0 million under the resulting facility at an interest rate of 9.845% per annum. On March 7, 2012, we repaid the outstanding $50.0 million loan, along with $3.5 million accrued interest, and terminated the loan commitment under the agreement.
(b)		Beginning on October 26, 2011, JBS USA arranged for letters of credit to be issued on its account in the amount of $56.5 million to an insurance company on our behalf in order to allow that insurance company to return cash it held as collateral against potential liability claims. We agreed to reimburse JBS USA up to $56.5 million for potential draws upon these letters of credit. We reimburse JBS USA for the letter of credit costs we would have otherwise incurred under our credit facilities. During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2013, we have paid JBS USA $0.6 million and $1.8 million, respectively, for letter of credit costs. As of September 29, 2013, the Company has accrued an obligation of $0.1 million to reimburse JBS USA for letter of credit costs incurred on its behalf.
(c)		We routinely execute transactions to both purchase products from JBS USA, LLC and sell products to them. As of September 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012, the outstanding payable to JBS USA, LLC was $5.9 million and $13.4 million, respectively. As of September 29, 2013 and December 30, 2012, the outstanding receivable from JBS USA, LLC was $4.5 million and $1.5 million, respectively. As of September 29, 2013, approximately $0.8 million of goods from JBS USA, LLC were in transit and not reflected on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
(d)		On January 19, 2010, we executed an agreement with JBS USA, LLC in order to allocate costs associated with the procurement of SAP licenses and maintenance services by JBS USA, LLC for the combined companies. Under this agreement, the fees associated with procuring SAP licenses and maintenance services are allocated between us and JBS USA, LLC in proportion to the percentage of licenses used by each company. The agreement expires on the date of expiration, or earlier termination, of each underlying SAP license agreement. During 2013, we have paid JBS USA $1.0 million for the procurement of such licenses and services. On May 5, 2010, we executed an agreement with JBS USA, LLC in order to allocate the costs of supporting the business operations through one consolidated corporate team. Expenditures paid by JBS USA, LLC on our behalf are reimbursed by us and expenditures paid by us on behalf of JBS USA, LLC are reimbursed by JBS USA, LLC. This agreement expires on May 5, 2015. During 2013, we have paid JBS USA, LLC $33.3 million for net expenditures paid by JBS USA, LLC on our behalf. At September 29, 2013, the outstanding net payable to JBS USA resulting from affiliate trade, procurement of SAP licenses and maintenance services and support of the business operations through one consolidated corporate team was $4.5 million.
(e)		On December 28, 2009, we executed a consulting agreement with the former Founder Director. The terms of the agreement on that date included, among other things, that the former Founder Director (i) will provide services to us that are comparable in the aggregate with the services provided by him to us prior to December 28, 2009, (ii) will be appointed to our Board of Directors and, during the term of the agreement, will be nominated for subsequent terms on the Board, (iii) will be compensated for services rendered to us at a rate of $1.5 million per annum for a term of five years, (iv) will be subject to customary non-solicitation and non-competition provisions and (v) will be, along with his spouse, provided with medical benefits (or will be compensated for medical coverage) that are comparable in the aggregate to the medical benefits afforded to our employees. As a result of his resignation as Founder Director, we are no longer required to nominate the Founder Director to serve subsequent terms on the Board. During the period in 2012 in which the former Founder Director was a related party, we paid $0.4 million to him under this agreement.
(f)		We have executed various grower contracts with the former Founder Director that provide for the placement of our flocks on farms owned by the former Founder Director during the grow-out phase of production. These contracts include terms that are substantially identical to those included in contracts executed by us with unaffiliated parties. The former Founder Director can terminate the contracts upon completion of the grow-out phase for each flock. We can terminate the contracts within a specified period of time pursuant to regulations by the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. During the period in 2012 in which the former Founder Director was a related party, we paid $0.3 million to him under these contracts.

SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION [Abstract]

Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
September 29, 2013

(In thousands)
				Subsidiary		Subsidiary			Eliminations/
	Parent			Guarantor		Non-Guarantors			Adjustments			Consolidation
Cash and cash equivalents	$	259,985		$	-	$	70,331		$	-		$	330,316
Trade accounts and other receivables, less allowance for
doubtful accounts		352,947			1,925		52,130			-			407,002
Account receivable from JBS USA, LLC		4,454			-		-			-			4,454
Inventories		793,614			23,845		94,507			(880	)		911,086
Income taxes receivable		60,948			-		6,288			(587	)		66,649
Current deferred tax assets		-			3,794		506			(4,300	)		-
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		37,356			110		35,359			-			72,825
Assets held for sale		8,618			-		16,702			-			25,320
Total current assets		1,517,922			29,674		275,823			(5,767	)		1,817,652
Intercompany receivable		(27,638	)		95,893		-			(68,255	)		-
Investment in subsidiaries		457,862			-		-			(457,862	)		-
Deferred tax assets		63,292			-		419			(4,091	)		59,620
Other long-lived assets		38,263			-		180,568			(180,000	)		38,831
Identified intangible assets, net		24,444			-		9,516			-			33,960
Property, plant and equipment, net		1,014,598			45,529		103,119			(3,888	)		1,159,358
Total assets	$	3,088,743		$	171,096	$	569,445		$	(719,863	)	$	3,109,421
Accounts payable	$	309,014		$	13,086	$	47,934		$	-		$	370,034
Accounts payable to JBS USA, LLC		5,893			-		-			-			5,893
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		307,251			31,325		(36,481	)		-			302,095
Income taxes payable		-			-		587			(587	)		-
Current deferred tax liabilities		84,572			-		577			(4,300	)		80,849
Current maturities of long-term debt		396			-		-			-			396
Total current liabilities		707,126			44,411		12,617			(4,887	)		759,267
Long-term debt, less current maturities		937,019			-		-			(25,000	)		912,019
Intercompany payable		-			-		68,255			(68,255	)		-
Deferred tax liabilities		-			3,794		297			(4,091	)		-
Other long-term liabilities		81,406			-		3,160			-			84,566
Total liabilities		1,725,551			48,205		84,329			(102,233	)		1,755,852
Total Pilgrim's Pride Corporation stockholders'
equity		1,363,192			122,891		482,651			(617,630	)		1,351,104
Noncontrolling interest		-			-		2,465			-			2,465
Total stockholders' equity		1,363,192			122,891		485,116			(617,630	)		1,353,569
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	3,088,743		$	171,096	$	569,445		$	(719,863	)	$	3,109,421

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS
December 30, 2012

(In thousands)
			Subsidiary		Subsidiary		Eliminations/
	Parent		Guarantor		Non-Guarantors		Adjustments			Consolidation
Cash and cash equivalents	$	27,657	$	-	$	40,523	$	-		$	68,180
Trade accounts and other receivables, less
allowance for doubtful accounts		326,031		1,843		57,056		-			384,930
Account receivable from JBS USA, LLC		1,514		-		-		-			1,514
Inventories		802,282		22,813		125,201		-			950,296
Income taxes receivable		55,306		-		-		(587	)		54,719
Current deferred tax assets		-		3,794		506		(4,300	)		-
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		29,603		-		26,444		-			56,047
Assets held for sale		9,808		-		17,234		-			27,042
Total current assets		1,252,201		28,450		266,964		(4,887	)		1,542,728
Investment in available-for-sale securities		-		-		-		-			-
Intercompany receivable		19,860		53,706		-		(73,566	)		-
Investment in subsidiaries		376,226		-		-		(376,226	)		-
Deferred tax assets		101,100		-		422		(4,091	)		97,431
Other long-lived assets		44,936		-		180,587		(180,000	)		45,523
Identified intangible assets, net		27,386		-		10,880		-			38,266
Property, plant and equipment, net		1,043,696		45,746		104,368		(3,889	)		1,189,921
Total assets	$	2,865,405	$	127,902	$	563,221	$	(642,659	)	$	2,913,869
Accounts payable	$	255,517	$	4,270	$	52,578	$	-		$	312,365
Accounts payable to JBS USA, LLC		13,436		-		-		-			13,436
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		230,278		24,265		28,997		-			283,540
Income taxes payable		-		-		1,055		(587	)		468
Current deferred tax liabilities		108,201		-		581		(4,300	)		104,482
Current maturities of long-term debt		15,886		-		-		-			15,886
Total current liabilities		623,318		28,535		83,211		(4,887	)		730,177
Long-term debt, less current maturities		1,173,870		-		-		(25,000	)		1,148,870
Intercompany payable		-		-		73,566		(73,566	)		-
Deferred tax liabilities		-		3,794		297		(4,091	)		-
Other long-term liabilities		122,580		-		3,245		-			125,825
Total liabilities		1,919,768		32,329		160,319		(107,544	)		2,004,872
Total Pilgrim's Pride Corporation stockholders'
equity		945,637		95,573		400,276		(535,115	)		906,371
Noncontrolling interest		-		-		2,626		-			2,626
Total stockholders' equity		945,637		95,573		402,902		(535,115	)		908,997
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	2,865,405	$	127,902	$	563,221	$	(642,659	)	$	2,913,869

Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Thirteen Weeks Ended September 29, 2013

(In thousands)
				Subsidiary		Subsidiary			Eliminations/
	Parent			Guarantor		Non-Guarantors			Adjustments			Consolidation
Net sales	$	1,889,353		$	132,942	$	245,372		$	(124,852	)	$	2,142,815
Cost of sales		1,676,605			117,753		235,856			(123,972	)		1,906,242
Gross profit		212,748			15,189		9,516			(880	)		236,573
Selling, general and administrative expense		36,976			1,068		5,753			-			43,797
Administrative restructuring charges		3,126			-		532			-			3,658
Operating income		172,646			14,121		3,231			(880	)		189,118
Interest expense, net		20,246			-		167			-			20,413
Interest income		(8	)		-		(563	)		-			(571	)
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains)		(1	)		-		2,683			-			2,682
Miscellaneous, net		(1,508	)		1,260		(98	)		338			(8	)
Income before income taxes		153,917			12,861		1,042			(1,218	)		166,602
Income tax expense (benefit)		13,643			-		(8,065	)		-			5,578
Income before equity in earnings of consolidated
subsidiaries		140,274			12,861		9,107			(1,218	)		161,024
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		20,643			-		-			(20,643	)		-
Net income		160,917			12,861		9,107			(21,861	)		161,024
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		-			-		107			-			107
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride
Corporation	$	160,917		$	12,861	$	9,000		$	(21,861	)	$	160,917

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Thirteen Weeks Ended September 23, 2012

(In thousands)
				Subsidiary			Subsidiary			Eliminations/
	Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantors			Adjustments			Consolidation
Net sales	$	1,809,883		$	71,124		$	246,519		$	(59,048	)	$	2,068,478
Cost of sales		1,741,370			64,999			215,022			(59,048	)		1,962,343
Gross profit		68,513			6,125			31,497			-			106,135
Selling, general and administrative expense		37,172			-			4,610			-			41,782
Administrative restructuring charges		2,647			-			-			-			2,647
Operating income		28,694			6,125			26,887			-			61,706
Interest expense, net		25,464			-			(204	)		-			25,260
Interest income, net		(277	)		-			21			-			(256	)
Foreign currency transaction gains		(33	)		-			(7,668	)		-			(7,701	)
Miscellaneous, net		(348	)		(2	)		560			203			413
Income before income taxes		3,888			6,127			34,178			(203	)		43,990
Income tax expense (benefit)		(3,584	)		2,313			2,320			-			1,049
Income before equity in earnings of
consolidated subsidiaries		7,472			3,814			31,858			(203	)		42,941
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		35,459			-			-			(35,459	)		-
Net income		42,931			3,814			31,858			(35,662	)		42,941
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		-			-			10			-			10
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride
Corporation	$	42,931		$	3,814		$	31,848		$	(35,662	)	$	42,931

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 29, 2013

(In thousands)
				Subsidiary		Subsidiary			Eliminations/
	Parent			Guarantor		Non-Guarantors			Adjustments			Consolidation
Net sales	$	5,538,779		$	404,360	$	801,270		$	(380,546	)	$	6,363,863
Cost of sales		5,059,584			366,769		679,661			(379,666	)		5,726,348
Gross profit		479,195			37,591		121,609			(880	)		637,515
Selling, general and administrative expense		111,473			3,187		17,228			-			131,888
Administrative restructuring charges		4,090			-		532			-			4,622
Operating income		363,632			34,404		103,849			(880	)		501,005
Interest expense, net		67,710			-		489			-			68,199
Interest income		(14	)		-		(1,480	)		-			(1,494	)
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains)		(10	)		-		4,781			-			4,771
Miscellaneous, net		(5,254	)		3,569		435			520			(730	)
Income before income taxes		301,200			30,835		99,624			(1,400	)		430,259
Income tax expense		528			5,764		17,924			-			24,216
Income before equity in earnings of consolidated
subsidiaries		300,672			25,071		81,700			(1,400	)		406,043
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		105,532			-		-			(105,532	)		-
Net income		406,204			25,071		81,700			(106,932	)		406,043
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest		-			-		(161	)		-			(161	)
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride
Corporation	$	406,204		$	25,071	$	81,861		$	(106,932	)	$	406,204

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 23, 2012

(In thousands)
				Subsidiary			Subsidiary			Eliminations/
	Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantors			Adjustments			Consolidation
Net sales	$	5,192,507		$	219,464		$	707,363		$	(187,614	)	$	5,931,720
Cost of sales		4,934,941			198,081			626,023			(187,614	)		5,571,431
Gross profit		257,566			21,383			81,340			-			360,289
Selling, general and administrative expense		116,726			-			14,751			-			131,477
Administrative restructuring charges		5,916			-			5			-			5,921
Operating income		134,924			21,383			66,584			-			222,891
Interest expense, net		78,234			-			196			-			78,430
Interest income		(293	)		-			(593	)		-			(886	)
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains)		15			-			(5,432	)		-			(5,417	)
Miscellaneous, net		(829	)		(13	)		160			410			(272	)
Income before income taxes		57,797			21,396			72,253			(410	)		151,036
Income tax expense (benefit)		(10,671	)		8,077			1,938			-			(656	)
Income before equity in earnings of
consolidated subsidiaries		68,468			13,319			70,315			(410	)		151,692
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		82,994			-			-			(82,994	)		-
Net income		151,462			13,319			70,315			(83,404	)		151,692
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest		-			-			230			-			230
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride
Corporation	$	151,462		$	13,319		$	70,085		$	(83,404	)	$	151,462

Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Thirteen Weeks Ended September 29, 2013

(In thousands)
			Subsidiary		Subsidiary		Eliminations/
	Parent		Guarantor		Non-Guarantors		Adjustments			Consolidation
Net income	$	160,917	$	12,861	$	9,107	$	(21,861	)	$	161,024
Other comprehensive income:
Gains associated with pension and other
postretirement benefits, net of tax		313		-		-		-			313
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax		313		-		-		-			313
Comprehensive income		161,230		12,861		9,107		(21,861	)		161,337
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to
noncontrolling interests		-		-		107		-			107
Comprehensive income attributable to
Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$	161,230	$	12,861	$	9,000	$	(21,861	)	$	161,230

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Thirteen Weeks Ended September 23, 2012

(In thousands)
				Subsidiary		Subsidiary			Eliminations/
	Parent			Guarantor		Non-Guarantors			Adjustments			Consolidation
Net income	$	42,931		$	3,814	$	31,858		$	(35,662	)	$	42,941
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale
securities, net of tax		-			-		(12	)		-			(12	)
Gains associated with pension and other
postretirement benefits, net of tax		(5,115	)		-		-			-			(5,115	)
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax		(5,115	)		-		(12	)		-			(5,127	)
Comprehensive income		37,816			3,814		31,846			(35,662	)		37,814
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to
noncontrolling interests		-			-		10			-			10
Comprehensive income attributable to
Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$	37,816		$	3,814	$	31,836		$	(35,662	)	$	37,804

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 29, 2013

(In thousands)
			Subsidiary		Subsidiary			Eliminations/
	Parent		Guarantor		Non-Guarantors			Adjustments			Consolidation
Net income	$	406,204	$	25,071	$	81,700		$	(106,932	)	$	406,043
Other comprehensive income:
Gains associated with pension and other
postretirement benefits, net of tax		36,114		-		-			-			36,114
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax		36,114		-		-			-			36,114
Comprehensive income		442,318		25,071		81,700			(106,932	)		442,157
Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to
noncontrolling interests		-		-		(161	)		-			(161	)
Comprehensive income attributable to
Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$	442,318	$	25,071	$	81,861		$	(106,932	)	$	442,318

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 23, 2012

(In thousands)
				Subsidiary		Subsidiary			Eliminations/
	Parent			Guarantor		Non-Guarantors			Adjustments			Consolidation
Net income	$	151,462		$	13,319	$	70,315		$	(83,404	)	$	151,692
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale
securities, net of tax		-			-		(12	)		-			(12	)
Gains associated with pension and other
postretirement benefits, net of tax		(16,140	)		-		-			-			(16,140	)
Total other comprehensive income, net of tax		(16,140	)		-		(12	)		-			(16,152	)
Comprehensive income		135,322			13,319		70,303			(83,404	)		135,540
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to
noncontrolling interests		-			-		230			-			230
Comprehensive income attributable to
Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$	135,322		$	13,319	$	70,073		$	(83,404	)	$	135,310

Schedule of Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 29, 2013

(In thousands)
				Subsidiary			Subsidiary			Eliminations/
	Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantors			Adjustments			Consolidation
Cash flows provided by operating activities	$	551,027		$	4,235		$	41,974		$	(520	)	$	596,716
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment		(63,298	)		(4,240	)		(8,755	)		-			(76,293	)
Purchases of investment securities		-			-			-			-			-
Proceeds from property sales and disposals		2,288			5			1,037			-			3,330
Cash used in investing activities		(61,010	)		(4,235	)		(7,718	)		-			(72,963	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on note payable to JBS USA Holdings, Inc.		-			-			-			-			-
Proceeds from long-term debt		505,600			-			-			-			505,600
Payments on long-term debt		(758,283	)		-			-			-			(758,283	)
Proceeds from sale of common stock		-			-			-			-			-
Payment of capitalized loan costs		(5,006	)		-			-			-			(5,006	)
Other financing activities		-			-			(520	)		520			-
Cash used in financing activities		(257,689	)		-			(520	)		520			(257,689	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		-			-			(3,928	)		-			(3,928	)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents		232,328			-			29,808			-			262,136
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		27,657			-			40,523			-			68,180
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	259,985		$	-		$	70,331		$	-		$	330,316

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 23, 2012

(In thousands)
				Subsidiary			Subsidiary			Eliminations/
	Parent			Guarantor			Non-Guarantors			Adjustments			Consolidation
Cash flows provided by operating activities	$	138,384		$	1,299		$	16,257		$	21		$	155,961
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment		(53,577	)		(1,329	)		(7,204	)		-			(62,110	)
Purchases of investment securities		(73	)		-			(89	)		-			(162	)
Proceeds from sale or maturity of investment securities		57			-			631			-			688
Proceeds from property sales and disposals		27,360			-			1,327			-			28,687
Cash used in investing activities		(26,233	)		(1,329	)		(5,335	)		-			(32,897	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on note payable to JBS USA Holdings, Inc.		(50,000	)		-			-			-			(50,000	)
Proceeds from long-term debt		595,800			-			-			-			595,800
Payments on long-term debt		(853,008	)		-			-			-			(853,008	)
Proceeds from sale of common stock		198,282			-			-			-			198,282
Other financing activities		-			-			21			(21	)		-
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(108,926	)		-			21			(21	)		(108,926	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		-			-			(717	)		-			(717	)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		3,225			(30	)		10,226			-			13,421
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		13,733			30			27,846			-			41,609
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	16,958		$	-		$	38,072		$	-		$	55,030

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION [Abstract]
Number of Countries in Which Entity Exports Products	100
Number of States in which Entity Operates	12
Number Of Employees Entity	37,500
Maximum Processing Capacity Of Employees Per Week	35,600,000
Maximum Annual Processing Capacity Of Employees	10,100,000,000
Number Of Contract Growers	4,100
Percentage Of Beneficial Ownership By Holding Company	75.50%

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Schedule of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets	$ 3,216	$ 1,821
Derivative liabilities, gross	(3,545)	(1,530)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation plan assets	7,440	7,591
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Commodity Futures Instruments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets	1,394	1,821
Derivative liabilities, gross	(3,545)	(1,530)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Commodity Options Instruments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets	1,822
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Foreign Currency Futures Instruments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets	238
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation plan assets	7,440	7,591
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Level 1 [Member] \| Commodity Futures Instruments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets	1,394	1,821
Derivative liabilities, gross	(3,545)	(1,530)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Level 1 [Member] \| Commodity Options Instruments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Level 1 [Member] \| Foreign Currency Futures Instruments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets	238
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation plan assets
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Level 2 [Member] \| Commodity Futures Instruments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets
Derivative liabilities, gross
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Level 2 [Member] \| Commodity Options Instruments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets	1,822
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Level 2 [Member] \| Foreign Currency Futures Instruments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation plan assets
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Level 3 [Member] \| Commodity Futures Instruments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets
Derivative liabilities, gross
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Level 3 [Member] \| Commodity Options Instruments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] \| Level 3 [Member] \| Foreign Currency Futures Instruments [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative assets

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS (Schedule of Carrying Amounts and Estimated Fair Values of Financial Assets and Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative assets	$ 3,216	$ 1,821
Derivative liabilities, gross	(3,545)	(1,530)
Carrying Amount [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Deferred compensation plan assets	7,440	7,591
Long-term debt and other borrowing arrangements	(912,415)	(1,164,756)
Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Deferred compensation plan assets	7,440	7,591
Long-term debt and other borrowing arrangements	(973,089)	(1,208,730)
Commodity Futures Instruments [Member] \| Carrying Amount [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative assets	1,394	1,821
Derivative liabilities, gross	(3,545)	(1,530)
Commodity Futures Instruments [Member] \| Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative assets	1,394	1,821
Derivative liabilities, gross	(3,545)	(1,530)
Commodity Options Instruments [Member] \| Carrying Amount [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative assets	1,822
Commodity Options Instruments [Member] \| Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative assets	1,822
Foreign Currency Futures Instruments [Member] \| Carrying Amount [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative assets	238
Foreign Currency Futures Instruments [Member] \| Fair Value [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative assets	$ 238

TRADE ACCOUNTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
TRADE ACCOUNTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES [Abstract]
Trade accounts receivable	$ 399,290	$ 381,747
Account receivable from JBS USA, LLC	4,454	1,514
Employee receivables	22	48
Other receivables	12,827	6,892
Receivables, gross	416,593	390,201
Allowance for doubtful accounts	(5,137)	(3,757)
Receivables, net	$ 411,456	$ 386,444

INVENTORIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	$ 911,086	$ 950,296
Chicken Inventories Live Chicken and Hens [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	420,644	405,335
Chicken Inventories Feed Eggs and Other [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	244,250	307,500
Chicken Inventories Finished Chicken Products [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	245,939	237,159
Chicken Inventories [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	910,833	949,994
Commercial Feed Table Eggs and Other [Member]
Inventory [Line Items]
Total inventories	$ 253	$ 302

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS [Abstract]
Net gains (losses) on derivative financial instruments	$ 8,000	$ 5,900	$ 21,900	$ 3,700

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Schedule of Outstanding Derivative Instruments and Cash Collateral) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

Dec. 30, 2012

Fair values:

Commodity derivative assets, gross

$ 3,216

$ 1,821

Derivative liabilities, gross

(3,545)

(1,530)

Cash collateral posted with (owed to) brokers

9,423

166

Foreign currency derivative assets, gross

$ 238

Corn [Member]

Derivatives Coverage:

Derivatives Coverage

^[1]

(0.30%)

0.00%

Period through which stated percent of needs are covered:

Derivative, Maturity Date

^[1]

Dec. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Soybean Meal [Member]

Derivatives Coverage:

Derivatives Coverage

^[1]

(2.40%)

0.00%

Period through which stated percent of needs are covered:

Derivative, Maturity Date

^[1]

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

[1]	Derivatives coverage is the percent of anticipated commodity needs covered by outstanding derivative instruments through a specified date.

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Dec. 30, 2012
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT [Abstract]
Depreciation	$ 34,300	$ 32,500	$ 102,300	$ 96,700
Proceeds from property disposals	400	16,200	3,330	28,687
Gain on property disposals	53	(1,900)	2,000	(1,400)
Assets held for sale	25,320		25,320		$ 27,042
Idled asset accumulated depreciation	94,400		94,400
Idled asset property, plant and equipment gross	149,400		149,400
Idled assets property, plant and equipment, net	55,000		55,000
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Other Assets	(300)	$ (2,600)	(1,500)	(3,700)
Asset impairment	$ 400		$ 3,457	$ 1,342

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
PP&E, gross	$ 2,790,649	$ 2,749,580
Accumulated depreciation	(1,631,291)	(1,559,659)
PP&E, net	1,159,358	1,189,921
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
PP&E, gross	65,341	63,788
Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
PP&E, gross	1,083,288	1,081,059
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
PP&E, gross	1,535,378	1,498,280
Autos and trucks [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
PP&E, gross	58,379	58,526
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
PP&E, gross	$ 48,263	$ 47,927

CURRENT LIABILITIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Accounts payable:
Trade accounts	$ 294,131	$ 252,644
Book overdrafts	74,911	58,066
Other payables	992	1,655
Total accounts payable	370,034	312,365
Accounts payable to JBS USA, LLC	5,893	13,436
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities:
Compensation and benefits	83,107	77,376
Interest and debt-related fees	17,560	10,740
Insurance and self-insured claims	117,119	108,806
Commodity derivative liabilities:
Other accrued expenses	80,764	85,088
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities	302,095	283,540
Total accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities	678,022	609,341
Commodity Futures Instruments [Member]
Commodity derivative liabilities:
Commodity derivative liabilities	$ 3,545	$ 1,530

LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER BORROWING ARRANGEMENTS (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended					3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Aug. 07, 2013	Apr. 29, 2013	Mar. 07, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Dec. 28, 2009	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Jun. 23, 2011
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt						$ 912,415	$ 912,415	$ 1,164,756
US and Puerto Rico Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage Of Equity Interest Guaranteed For Debt						100.00%	100.00%
Foreign Subsidiaries [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage Of Equity Interest Guaranteed For Debt						65.00%	65.00%
JBS USA [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Shares Granted to Stockholders as Per Loan Agreement				44,444,444
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt						$ 497,643	$ 497,643	$ 497,301
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage						7.875%	7.875%
Senior Subordinated and Unsecured Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt						$ 3,900	$ 3,900
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage						8.375%	8.375%
Senior Unsecured Notes One [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage						7.625%	7.625%
Senior Unsecured Notes Two [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage						9.25%	9.25%
Subordinated Loan [Member] \| JBS USA [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of Shares Granted to Stockholders as Per Loan Agreement				44,444,444
Repayments of Debt			$ 50,000
Agreed Repayment Of Debt				$ 50,000					$ 56,500
Debt Instrument, Face Amount									50,000
Credit Facility Availed									$ 100,000
Revolving Credit Facility and Term B Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity						$ 1,850,000	$ 1,850,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity date							Aug. 07, 2018
Us Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity						700,000	$ 700,000
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity						670,400	670,400
Line Of Credit Facility Feature To Increase Aggregate Revolving Loan Commitment						250,000	250,000
Payment of capitalized loan costs	$ 5,000				$ 50,000
Credit Facility Capital Expenditures							350,000
Delayed Draw Term Loan, Maximum Amount						400,000	400,000
Delayed Draw Term Loan, Increase in Maximum Amount						$ 500,000	$ 500,000
Delayed Draw Term Loan, Percentage of Principal Outstanding						1.875%	1.875%
Line Of Credit Sublimit Swingline Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity						$ 100,000	$ 100,000
Us Credit Facility Delayed Draw [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity date							Aug. 07, 2018
Us Credit Facility Letters Of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt						29,600	$ 29,600
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity						200,000	200,000
Letter Of Credit [Member] \| JBS USA [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt						100	100
Repayments of Lines of Credit						600	1,800
Credit Facility Availed						56,500	56,500
Loan Commitment Under Mexico Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity						$ 42,400	$ 42,400
Loan Commitment Under Mexico Credit Facility [Member] \| TIIE Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate							2.25%
Loan Commitment Under Mexico Credit Facility [Member] \| Equilibrium Interbank Interest Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate							4.50%
Us Credit Facility Term Notes Payable B1 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage						2.44%	2.44%	4.75%
Us Credit Facility Term Notes Payable B2 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage						9.00%	9.00%	9.00%
Us Credit Facility Revolving Note Payable [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage								4.25%
Term B Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt						$ 410,100	$ 410,100
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity						$ 410,100	$ 410,100
Repayments of Debt		$ 141,200
Maturity date							Dec. 28, 2014

LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER BORROWING ARRANGEMENTS (Schedule of Long-term Debt and Other Borrowing Arrangments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 912,415	$ 1,164,756
Less: Current maturities of long-term debt	(396)	(15,886)
Long-term debt, less current maturities	$ 912,019	1,148,870
Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity	2018
Long-term debt	$ 497,643	497,301
Exit Credit Facility Term Note Payable B1 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity	2014
Long-term debt	$ 204,880	275,443
Exit Credit Facility Term Note Payable B2 [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity	2014
Long-term debt	$ 205,219	283,647
Exit Credit Facility Term Note Payable [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity	2018
Long-term debt		103,600
Mexico Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity	2014
Long-term debt
Other Long Term Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity	Various
Long-term debt	$ 4,673	$ 4,765

INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
Income tax expense (benefit)	$ 5,578	$ 1,049	$ 24,216	$ (656)
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations			5.60%	(0.40%)

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Dec. 30, 2012
PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS [Abstract]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Expense	$ 1,900	$ 2,000	$ 5,700	$ 6,000
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Contributions	3,300		6,400
Fair value of plan assets	101,900		101,900		$ 92,300
Projected benefit obligation	$ 166,100		$ 166,100		$ 196,400
Increase (decrease) of percentage points in the discount rate			0.85%

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS (Schedule of Net Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Costs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012
Pension Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ (20)	$ 13		$ 38
Interest cost	1,988	2,147	5,965	6,204
Estimated return on plan assets	(1,349)	(2,126)	(4,048)	(4,997)
Amortization of net loss (gain)	250	(483)	751	348
Net costs	869	(449)	2,668	1,593
Other Benefits [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost
Interest cost	20	25	59	72
Estimated return on plan assets
Amortization of net loss (gain)		(1)		(2)
Net costs	$ 20	$ 24	$ 59	$ 70

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012
Rights Offering [Line Items]
Rights Offering, Options to Purchase Number of Shares at Subscription Price for Each Share Owned, Shares		0.2072
Rights Offering, Subscription Price Per Share		$ 4.50
Rights Offering Shares Offered, Shares		44,444,444
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Rights Issued, Issuance Costs	$ 1,700
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock Rights, Gross	200,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock Rights, Net	198,300
Line of Credit Facility, Annual Principal Payment	$ 50,000
JBS USA [Member]
Rights Offering [Line Items]
Number of Shares Granted to Stockholders as Per Loan Agreement		44,444,444
JBS USA [Member] \| Subordinated Loan [Member]
Rights Offering [Line Items]
Number of Shares Granted to Stockholders as Per Loan Agreement		44,444,444

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Schedule of Changes in Unrealized Actuarial Losses) (Details)
$ in Thousands

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

USD ($)

^[1]

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY [Abstract]

Balance, beginning of period

$ (68,511)

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications

35,363

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income

751

Net current period other comprehensive income

36,114

Balance, end of period

$ (32,397)

[1]	All amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits.

- Definition

Accumulated change in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources, net of tax effect, at period end. Excludes Net Income (Loss), and accumulated changes in equity from transactions resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Includes foreign currency translation items, certain pension adjustments, unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities, other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses related to factors other than credit losses on available-for-sale and held-to-maturity debt securities that an entity does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that the entity will be required to sell before recovery of the amortized cost basis, as well as changes in the fair value of derivatives related to the effective portion of a designated cash flow hedge.

+ References + Details

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (Schedule of Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss) (Details) - Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]
$ in Thousands

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

USD ($)

Amortization of defined benefit pension and other postretirement plan actuarial losses:

Total before tax

$ (751)

Tax benefit (expense)

Total reclassification for the period

(751)

Union Plan [Member]

Amortization of defined benefit pension and other postretirement plan actuarial losses:

Total before tax

(27)

^[1]

Legacy Gold Kist Plans [Member]

Amortization of defined benefit pension and other postretirement plan actuarial losses:

Total before tax

$ (724)

^[1]

[1]	These accumulated other comprehensive income components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See "Note 10. Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits" to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

INCENTIVE COMPENSATION (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
INCENTIVE COMPENSATION (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2013 USD ($) shares
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to all nonvested awards	$ 5,500
Weighted average period unrecognized compensation cost is expected to be recognized	1 year 3 months
Incentive Plan [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Accrued in costs related to the STIP	$ 12,500
Reserved shares of common stock for future issuance under the LTIP \| shares	6,600,000

INCENTIVE COMPENSATION (Schedule of Awards) (Details)	9 Months Ended
INCENTIVE COMPENSATION (Schedule of Awards) (Details)	Sep. 29, 2013 shares
RSA 1 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award Quantity	100,000
Grant Date	Jan. 14, 2011
Vesting Date	Jan. 03, 2013
Estimated Forfeiture Rate	0.00%
RSA 2 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award Quantity	100,000
Grant Date	Jan. 14, 2011
Vesting Date	Jan. 03, 2014
Estimated Forfeiture Rate	0.00%
RSA 3 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award Quantity	72,675
Grant Date	Aug. 27, 2012
Vesting Date	Apr. 27, 2014
Estimated Forfeiture Rate	0.00%
RSU 1 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award Quantity	608,561
Grant Date	Feb. 04, 2013
Vesting Date	Dec. 31, 2014
Estimated Forfeiture Rate	9.6559%
RSA 4 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award Quantity	15,000
Grant Date	Feb. 25, 2013
Vesting Date	Feb. 24, 2015
Estimated Forfeiture Rate	0.00%
RSA 5 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award Quantity	15,000
Grant Date	Feb. 25, 2013
Vesting Date	Feb. 24, 2016
Estimated Forfeiture Rate	0.00%
RSU 2 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award Quantity	206,933
Grant Date	Feb. 26, 2013
Vesting Date	Dec. 31, 2014
Estimated Forfeiture Rate	0.00%

INCENTIVE COMPENSATION (Schedule of Compensation Cost and Income Tax Benefit) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation costs	$ 813	$ 166	$ 2,415	$ 464
Income tax benefit	151		488
Cost of goods sold [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation costs	102		255
Selling, general and administrative expenses [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation costs	$ 711	$ 166	$ 2,160	$ 464

INCENTIVE COMPENSATION (Schedule of Restricted Share and Restricted Stock Unit Activity) (Details) - $ / shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012
Restricted Stock Awards (RSA) [Member]
Number
Outstanding at beginning of period	273,000	200,000
Granted	30,000
Vested	(100,000)
Outstanding at end of period	203,000	200,000
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at beginning of period	$ 6.54	$ 7.10
Granted	8.72	0.00
Vested	7.10	0.00
Outstanding at end of period	$ 6.59	$ 7.10
Restricted Stock Units (RSU) [Member]
Number
Outstanding at beginning of period
Granted	815,000
Vested	(72,000)
Outstanding at end of period	743,000
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at beginning of period	$ 0.00	$ 0.00
Granted	8.82	0.00
Vested	8.89	0.00
Outstanding at end of period	$ 8.81	$ 0.00

EXIT OR DISPOSAL ACTIVITIES (Schedule of Exit or Disposal Efforts) (Details)
$ in Thousands

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 29, 2013

USD ($)

Sep. 23, 2012

USD ($)

Sep. 29, 2013

USD ($)

Sep. 23, 2012

USD ($)

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Positions eliminated

2,890

Costs incurred and expected to be incurred:

Employee-related costs

$ 3,356

Asset impairment costs

53,240

Inventory valuation costs

344

Other exit or disposal costs

19,318

Total exit or disposal costs

76,258

Costs incurred since earliest implementation date:

Employee-related costs

3,356

Asset impairment costs

53,240

Inventory valuation costs

344

Other exit or disposal costs

17,861

Total exit or disposal costs

$ 3,658

$ 2,798

74,801

$ 6,150

Additional Data One [Member]

Costs incurred and expected to be incurred:

Asset impairment costs

3,095

Other exit or disposal costs

563

2,798

Total exit or disposal costs

3,658

2,798

Additional Data Two [Member]

Costs incurred since earliest implementation date:

Employee-related costs

Asset impairment costs

3,095

1,342

Other exit or disposal costs

1,527

4,730

Total exit or disposal costs

$ 4,622

6,150

Facility Closures [Member]

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Earliest implementation date

^[1]

Oct. 31, 2008

Latest expected completion date

^[1]

Sep. 30, 2014

Positions eliminated

^[1]

2,410

Costs incurred and expected to be incurred:

Employee-related costs

^[1]

$ 2,492

Asset impairment costs

^[1]

15,878

Inventory valuation costs

^[1]

344

Other exit or disposal costs

^[1]

15,206

Total exit or disposal costs

^[1]

33,920

Costs incurred since earliest implementation date:

Employee-related costs

^[1]

2,492

Asset impairment costs

^[1]

15,878

Inventory valuation costs

^[1]

344

Other exit or disposal costs

^[1]

13,749

Total exit or disposal costs

^[1]

32,463

Facility Closures [Member] | Additional Data One [Member]

Costs incurred and expected to be incurred:

Asset impairment costs

2,629

Other exit or disposal costs

563

805

Total exit or disposal costs

3,192

805

Facility Closures [Member] | Additional Data Two [Member]

Costs incurred since earliest implementation date:

Employee-related costs

Asset impairment costs

2,629

960

Other exit or disposal costs

1,527

2,737

Total exit or disposal costs

$ 4,156

3,775

Administrative Integration [Member]

Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]

Earliest implementation date

^[2]

Jan. 31, 2010

Latest expected completion date

^[2]

Sep. 30, 2012

Positions eliminated

^[2]

480

Costs incurred and expected to be incurred:

Employee-related costs

^[2]

$ 864

Asset impairment costs

^[2]

37,362

Inventory valuation costs

^[2]

Other exit or disposal costs

^[2]

4,112

Total exit or disposal costs

^[2]

42,338

Costs incurred since earliest implementation date:

Employee-related costs

^[2]

864

Asset impairment costs

^[2]

37,362

Inventory valuation costs

^[2]

Other exit or disposal costs

^[2]

4,112

Total exit or disposal costs

^[2]

42,338

Administrative Integration [Member] | Additional Data One [Member]

Costs incurred and expected to be incurred:

Asset impairment costs

466

Other exit or disposal costs

1,993

Total exit or disposal costs

$ 466

$ 1,993

Administrative Integration [Member] | Additional Data Two [Member]

Costs incurred since earliest implementation date:

Employee-related costs

Asset impairment costs

466

382

Other exit or disposal costs

1,993

Total exit or disposal costs

$ 466

$ 2,375

[1]

Significant facilities closed included one processing plant in 2008, two processing plants in 2009, two processing plants in the transition period and one processing plant in 2011. The transition period began September 27, 2009 and ended December 27, 2009 and resulted from the Company's change in its fiscal year end from the Saturday nearest September 30 each year to the last Sunday in December of each year.

[2]

Company management implemented certain activities to integrate the administrative functions of the Company into those of JBS USA. These included the closures of administrative offices in Georgia and Texas.

EXIT OR DISPOSAL ACTIVITIES (Schedule of Accrued Exit or Disposal Cost Accounts Activity) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance	$ 808	$ 883
Accruals		151
Payment/Disposal	(808)	(291)
Adjustments		78
Balance		821
Accrued Severance [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance		90
Accruals
Payment/Disposal		(155)
Adjustments		78
Balance		13
Accrued Inventory [Member]
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Balance	808	793
Accruals		151
Payment/Disposal	(808)	(136)
Adjustments
Balance		$ 808

EXIT OR DISPOSAL ACTIVITIES (Schedule of Exit or Disposal Costs) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012
EXIT OR DISPOSAL ACTIVITIES [Abstract]
Cost of sales		$ 151		$ 229
Administrative restructuring charges	3,658	2,647	4,622	5,921
Total exit or disposal costs	$ 3,658	$ 2,798	$ 74,801	$ 6,150

EXIT OR DISPOSAL ACTIVITIES (Schedule of Components of Administrative Restructuring Charges) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012
EXIT OR DISPOSAL ACTIVITIES [Abstract]
Asset impairment costs (Note 6. Property, Plant and Equipment)	$ 3,095		$ 3,095	$ 1,342
Loss on egg sales and flock depletion expensed as incurred				509
Other restructuring costs	563	2,647	1,527	4,070
Total administrative restructuring charges	$ 3,658	$ 2,647	$ 4,622	$ 5,921

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 07, 2012	Dec. 28, 2009	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Dec. 30, 2012	Dec. 25, 2011	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 26, 2011	Jun. 23, 2011
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Number of shares sold by the Founder Director and certain entities related to the Founder Director to JBS USA.	18,924,438
Percentage Of Beneficial Ownership By Holding Company						75.50%
Accounts payable to JBS USA, LLC				$ 5,893		$ 5,893		$ 13,436
Accounts receivable from JBS USA, LLC				4,454		4,454		1,514
JBS USA, LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Accounts payable to JBS USA, LLC				5,900		5,900		13,400
Accounts receivable from JBS USA, LLC				4,500		4,500		1,500
Other Inventory, in Transit, Gross				800		800
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction				11,281	$ 14,469	34,659	$ 44,194
JBS USA, LLC [Member] \| Letter Of Credit [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount											$ 56,500
Agreed Repayment Of Debt											$ 56,500
Fees owed for carrying line of credit				200		200
Accounts payable to JBS USA, LLC				100		100
Repayments of Lines of Credit				600		1,800
JBS USA, LLC [Member] \| Payments To Procure Licenses and Services [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Accounts payable to JBS USA, LLC				4,500		4,500
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction								900
JBS USA, LLC [Member] \| Payments Towards Reimbursement Of Expenses [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction								31,800
JBS USA, LLC [Member] \| Subordinated Loan [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Credit Facility Availed												$ 100,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount												50,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period									9.845%
Repayments of Debt	$ 50,000
Interest paid (net of amount capitalized)	$ 3,500
JBS USA, LLC [Member] \| Consulting Agreement [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Contract Costs Paid						33,300
JBS USA, LLC [Member] \| License Agreement [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Contract Costs Paid						1,000
Accounts payable to JBS USA, LLC				$ 4,500		$ 4,500
JBS USA [Member] \| Subordinated Loan [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Credit Facility Availed												100,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount												50,000
Repayments of Debt		$ 50,000
Agreed Repayment Of Debt										$ 50,000		$ 56,500
Former Founder Director [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction								300
Former Founder Director [Member] \| Directors Compensation Per Annum As Per Agreement [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction			$ 1,500
Number Of Years To Be Compensated As Per Agreement With Director			5 years
Former Founder Director [Member] \| Compensation Paid To Former Founder Director [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction								$ 400

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Schedule of Related Party Transactions) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Dec. 30, 2012
JBS USA [Member] \| Subordinated loan [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party interest				$ 971
JBS USA [Member] \| Letter Of Credit [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party interest	513	592	1,697	1,776
JBS USA, LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Purchases from related parties	19,155	18,136	59,945	49,847
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction	11,281	14,469	34,659	44,194
Sales to related party	13,996	58,527	49,263	177,894
JBS USA, LLC [Member] \| Expenses Paid By Company On Behalf Of Related Party [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction	630	1,089	1,313	3,645
Former Founder Director [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction					$ 300
Sales to related party				1
Former Founder Director [Member] \| Contract Grower Pay Paid To Related Party [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party interest				297
Former Founder Director [Member] \| Consulting Fee Paid To Related Party [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party interest				374
Former Founder Director [Member] \| Board Fees Paid To Related Party [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party interest				$ 45

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Dec. 12, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	May 31, 2010	Sep. 29, 2013
ERISA Litigation [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value					$ 35,000
Due To Internal Revenue Service [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value	$ 29,300			$ 74,700
Due To Internal Revenue Service [Member] \| Proceeding Accounts [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Amended Proof of Claim					$ 45,400
Due To Internal Revenue Service [Member] \| Loss Contingencies Awarded Original Value [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Damages Awarded, Value			$ 25,800
Due To Internal Revenue Service [Member] \| Loss Contingencies Awarded Revised Value [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Damages Awarded, Value		$ 25,600

SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Sep. 23, 2012	Dec. 25, 2011
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 330,316	$ 68,180	$ 55,030	$ 41,609
Trade accounts and other receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts	407,002	384,930
Account receivable from JBS USA, LLC	4,454	1,514
Inventories	911,086	950,296
Income taxes receivable	66,649	54,719
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	72,825	56,047
Assets held for sale	25,320	27,042
Total current assets	1,817,652	1,542,728
Deferred tax assets	59,620	97,431
Other long-lived assets	38,831	45,523
Identified intangible assets, net	33,960	38,266
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,159,358	1,189,921
Total assets	3,109,421	2,913,869
Accounts payable	370,034	312,365
Accounts payable to JBS USA, LLC	5,893	13,436
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	302,095	283,540
Income taxes payable	0	468
Current deferred tax liabilities	80,849	104,482
Current maturities of long-term debt	396	15,886
Total current liabilities	759,267	730,177
Long-term debt, less current maturities	912,019	1,148,870
Other long-term liabilities	84,566	125,825
Total liabilities	1,755,852	2,004,872
Total Pilgrim's Pride Corporation stockholders' equity	1,351,104	906,371
Noncontrolling interest	2,465	2,626
Total stockholders' equity	1,353,569	908,997	892,716	558,430
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	3,109,421	2,913,869
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade accounts and other receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts
Account receivable from JBS USA, LLC
Inventories	(880)
Income taxes receivable	(1,587)	(587)
Current deferred tax assets	(4,300)	(4,300)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Assets held for sale
Total current assets	(5,767)	(4,887)
Intercompany receivable	(68,255)	(73,566)
Investment in subsidiaries	(457,862)	(376,226)
Deferred tax assets	(4,091)	(4,091)
Other long-lived assets	(180,000)	(180,000)
Identified intangible assets, net
Property, plant and equipment, net	(3,888)	(3,889)
Total assets	(719,863)	(642,659)
Accounts payable
Accounts payable to JBS USA, LLC
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Income taxes payable	(1,587)	(587)
Current deferred tax liabilities	(4,300)	(4,300)
Current maturities of long-term debt
Total current liabilities	(4,887)	(4,887)
Long-term debt, less current maturities	(25,000)	(25,000)
Intercompany payable	(68,255)	(73,566)
Deferred tax liabilities	(4,091)	(4,091)
Other long-term liabilities
Total liabilities	(102,233)	(107,544)
Total Pilgrim's Pride Corporation stockholders' equity	(617,630)	(535,115)
Noncontrolling interest
Total stockholders' equity	(617,630)	(535,115)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	(719,863)	(642,659)
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	259,985	27,657	16,958	13,733
Trade accounts and other receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts	352,947	326,031
Account receivable from JBS USA, LLC	4,454	1,514
Inventories	793,614	802,282
Income taxes receivable	60,948	55,306
Current deferred tax assets
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	37,356	29,603
Assets held for sale	8,618	9,808
Total current assets	1,517,922	1,252,201
Investment in available-for-sale securities
Intercompany receivable	(27,638)	19,860
Investment in subsidiaries	457,862	376,226
Deferred tax assets	63,292	101,100
Other long-lived assets	38,263	44,936
Identified intangible assets, net	24,444	27,386
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,014,598	1,043,696
Total assets	3,088,743	2,865,405
Accounts payable	309,014	255,517
Accounts payable to JBS USA, LLC	5,893	13,436
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	307,251	230,278
Income taxes payable
Current deferred tax liabilities	84,572	108,201
Current maturities of long-term debt	396	15,886
Total current liabilities	707,126	623,318
Long-term debt, less current maturities	937,019	1,173,870
Intercompany payable
Deferred tax liabilities
Other long-term liabilities	81,406	122,580
Total liabilities	1,725,551	1,919,768
Total Pilgrim's Pride Corporation stockholders' equity	1,363,192	945,637
Noncontrolling interest
Total stockholders' equity	1,363,192	945,637
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	3,088,743	2,865,405
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents				30
Trade accounts and other receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts	1,925	1,843
Account receivable from JBS USA, LLC
Inventories	23,845	22,813
Income taxes receivable
Current deferred tax assets	3,794	3,794
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	110
Assets held for sale
Total current assets	29,674	28,450
Investment in available-for-sale securities
Intercompany receivable	95,893	53,706
Investment in subsidiaries
Deferred tax assets
Other long-lived assets
Identified intangible assets, net
Property, plant and equipment, net	45,529	45,746
Total assets	171,096	127,902
Accounts payable	13,086	4,270
Accounts payable to JBS USA, LLC
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	31,325	24,265
Income taxes payable
Current deferred tax liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt
Total current liabilities	44,411	28,535
Long-term debt, less current maturities
Intercompany payable
Deferred tax liabilities	3,794	3,794
Other long-term liabilities
Total liabilities	48,205	32,329
Total Pilgrim's Pride Corporation stockholders' equity	122,891	95,573
Noncontrolling interest
Total stockholders' equity	122,891	95,573
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	171,096	127,902
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Balance Sheet Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	70,331	40,523	$ 38,072	$ 27,846
Trade accounts and other receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts	52,130	57,056
Account receivable from JBS USA, LLC
Inventories	94,507	125,201
Income taxes receivable	6,288
Current deferred tax assets	506	506
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	35,359	26,444
Assets held for sale	16,702	17,234
Total current assets	275,823	266,964
Investment in available-for-sale securities
Intercompany receivable
Investment in subsidiaries
Deferred tax assets	419	422
Other long-lived assets	180,568	180,587
Identified intangible assets, net	9,516	10,880
Property, plant and equipment, net	103,119	104,368
Total assets	569,445	563,221
Accounts payable	47,934	52,578
Accounts payable to JBS USA, LLC
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	(36,481)	28,997
Income taxes payable	587	1,055
Current deferred tax liabilities	577	581
Current maturities of long-term debt
Total current liabilities	12,617	83,211
Long-term debt, less current maturities
Intercompany payable	68,255	73,566
Deferred tax liabilities	297	297
Other long-term liabilities	3,160	3,245
Total liabilities	84,329	160,319
Total Pilgrim's Pride Corporation stockholders' equity	482,651	400,276
Noncontrolling interest	2,465	2,626
Total stockholders' equity	485,116	402,902
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 569,445	$ 563,221

SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 2,142,815	$ 2,068,478	$ 6,363,863	$ 5,931,720
Cost of sales	1,906,242	1,962,343	5,726,348	5,571,431
Gross profit	236,573	106,135	637,515	360,289
Selling, general and administrative expense	43,797	41,782	131,888	131,477
Administrative restructuring charges	3,658	2,647	4,622	5,921
Operating income	189,118	61,706	501,005	222,891
Interest expense, net	20,413	25,260	68,199	78,430
Interest income	(571)	(256)	(1,494)	(886)
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net	2,682	(7,701)	4,771	(5,417)
Miscellaneous, net	(8)	413	(730)	(272)
Income before income taxes	166,602	43,990	430,259	151,036
Income tax expense (benefit)	5,578	1,049	24,216	(656)
Net income	161,024	42,941	406,043	151,692
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	107	10	(161)	230
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	160,917	42,931	406,204	151,462
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	(124,852)	(59,048)	(380,546)	(187,614)
Cost of sales	(123,972)	(59,048)	(379,666)	(187,614)
Gross profit	(880)		(880)
Selling, general and administrative expense
Administrative restructuring charges
Operating income	(880)		(880)
Interest expense, net
Interest income
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net
Miscellaneous, net	338	(203)	520	(410)
Income before income taxes	(1,218)	(203)	(1,400)	(410)
Income tax expense (benefit)
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	(1,218)	(203)	(1,400)	(410)
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	(20,643)	(35,459)	(105,532)	(82,994)
Net income	(21,861)	(35,662)	(106,932)	(83,404)
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	(21,861)	(35,662)	(106,932)	(83,404)
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	1,889,353	1,809,883	5,538,779	5,192,507
Cost of sales	1,676,605	1,741,370	5,058,584	4,934,941
Gross profit	212,748	68,513	479,195	257,566
Selling, general and administrative expense	36,976	37,172	111,473	116,726
Administrative restructuring charges	3,126	2,647	4,090	5,916
Operating income	172,646	28,694	363,632	134,924
Interest expense, net	20,246	25,464	67,710	78,234
Interest income	(8)	277	(14)	293
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net	(1)	33	(10)	(15)
Miscellaneous, net	(1,508)	348	(5,254)	829
Income before income taxes	153,917	3,888	301,200	57,797
Income tax expense (benefit)	13,643	(3,584)	528	(10,671)
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	140,274	7,472	300,672	68,468
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	20,643	35,459	105,532	82,994
Net income	160,917	42,931	406,204	151,462
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	160,917	42,931	406,204	151,462
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	132,942	71,124	404,360	219,464
Cost of sales	117,753	64,999	366,769	198,081
Gross profit	15,189	6,125	37,591	21,383
Selling, general and administrative expense	1,068		3,187
Administrative restructuring charges
Operating income	14,121	6,125	34,404	21,383
Interest expense, net
Interest income
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net
Miscellaneous, net	1,260	2	3,569	13
Income before income taxes	12,861	6,127	30,835	21,396
Income tax expense (benefit)		2,313	5,764	8,077
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	12,861	3,814	25,071	13,319
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries
Net income	12,861	3,814	25,071	13,319
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	12,861	3,814	25,071	13,319
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Income Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net sales	245,372	246,519	801,270	707,363
Cost of sales	235,856	215,022	676,661	626,023
Gross profit	9,516	31,497	121,609	81,340
Selling, general and administrative expense	5,753	4,610	17,228	14,751
Administrative restructuring charges	532		532	5
Operating income	3,231	26,887	103,849	66,584
Interest expense, net	167	(204)	489	196
Interest income	(563)	(21)	(1,480)	593
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net	2,683	7,668	4,781	5,432
Miscellaneous, net	(98)	(560)	435	(160)
Income before income taxes	1,042	34,178	99,624	72,253
Income tax expense (benefit)	(8,065)	2,320	17,924	1,938
Income (loss) before equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries	9,107	31,858	81,700	70,315
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries
Net income	9,107	31,858	81,700	70,315
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	107		(161)	230
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$ 9,000	$ 31,848	$ 81,861	$ 70,085

SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	$ 161,024	$ 42,941	$ 406,043	$ 151,692
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized holding losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax		(12)		(12)
Gains (losses) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net	313	(5,115)	36,114	(16,140)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	313	(5,127)	36,114	(16,152)
Comprehensive income	161,337	37,814	442,157	135,540
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	107	10	(161)	230
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	161,230	37,804	442,318	135,310
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	(21,861)	(35,662)	(106,932)	(83,404)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized holding losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax
Gains (losses) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Comprehensive income	(21,861)	(35,662)	(106,932)	(83,404)
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	(21,861)	(35,662)	(106,932)	(83,404)
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	160,917	42,931	406,204	151,462
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized holding losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax
Gains (losses) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net	313	(5,115)	36,114	(16,140)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	313	(5,115)	36,114	(16,140)
Comprehensive income	161,230	37,816	442,318	135,322
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	161,230	37,816	442,318	135,322
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	12,861	3,814	25,071	13,319
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized holding losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax
Gains (losses) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Comprehensive income	12,861	3,814	25,071	13,319
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	12,861	3,814	25,071	13,319
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Financial Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Net income	9,107	31,858	81,700	70,315
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net unrealized holding losses on available-for-sale securities, net of tax		(12)		(12)
Gains (losses) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax		(12)		(12)
Comprehensive income	9,107	31,846	81,700	70,303
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	107	10	(161)	230
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$ 9,000	$ 31,836	$ 81,861	$ 70,073

SUPPLEMENTAL GUARANTOR FINANCIAL INFORMATION (CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012	Sep. 29, 2013	Sep. 23, 2012
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash flows provided (used in) by operating activities			$ 596,716	$ 155,961
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment			(76,293)	(62,110)
Purchases of investment securities			0	(162)
Proceeds from sale or maturity of investment securities			0	688
Proceeds from property disposals	$ 400	$ 16,200	3,330	28,687
Cash used in investing activities			(72,963)	(32,897)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment of note payable to JBS USA			0	(50,000)
Proceeds from long-term debt			505,600	595,800
Payments on revolving line of credit, long-term borrowings and capital lease obligations			(758,283)	(853,008)
Proceeds from sale of common stock			0	198,282
Payment of capitalized loan costs			(5,006)
Cash used in financing activities			(257,689)	(108,926)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			(3,928)	(717)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents			262,136	13,421
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period			68,180	41,609
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	330,316	55,030	330,316	55,030
Consolidation, Eliminations [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash flows provided (used in) by operating activities			(520)	21
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment
Purchases of investment securities
Proceeds from sale or maturity of investment securities
Proceeds from property disposals
Cash used in investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment of note payable to JBS USA
Proceeds from long-term debt
Payments on revolving line of credit, long-term borrowings and capital lease obligations
Proceeds from sale of common stock
Payment of capitalized loan costs
Other financing activities			520	(21)
Cash used in financing activities			520	(21)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
Parent Company [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash flows provided (used in) by operating activities			551,027	138,384
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment			(63,298)	(53,577)
Purchases of investment securities				(73)
Proceeds from sale or maturity of investment securities				57
Proceeds from property disposals			2,288	27,360
Cash used in investing activities			(61,010)	(26,233)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment of note payable to JBS USA				(50,000)
Proceeds from long-term debt			505,600	595,800
Payments on revolving line of credit, long-term borrowings and capital lease obligations			(758,283)	(853,008)
Proceeds from sale of common stock				198,282
Payment of capitalized loan costs			(5,006)
Other financing activities
Cash used in financing activities			(257,689)	(108,926)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Increase in cash and cash equivalents			232,328	3,225
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period			27,657	13,733
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	259,985	16,958	259,985	16,958
Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash flows provided (used in) by operating activities			4,235	1,299
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment			(4,240)	(1,329)
Purchases of investment securities
Proceeds from sale or maturity of investment securities
Proceeds from property disposals			5
Cash used in investing activities			(4,235)	(1,329)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment of note payable to JBS USA
Proceeds from long-term debt
Payments on revolving line of credit, long-term borrowings and capital lease obligations
Proceeds from sale of common stock
Payment of capitalized loan costs
Other financing activities
Cash used in financing activities
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Increase in cash and cash equivalents				(30)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period				30
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]
Condensed Cash Flow Statements, Captions [Line Items]
Cash flows provided (used in) by operating activities			41,974	16,257
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment			(8,755)	(7,204)
Purchases of investment securities				(89)
Proceeds from sale or maturity of investment securities				631
Proceeds from property disposals			1,037	1,327
Cash used in investing activities			(7,718)	(5,335)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment of note payable to JBS USA
Proceeds from long-term debt
Payments on revolving line of credit, long-term borrowings and capital lease obligations
Proceeds from sale of common stock
Payment of capitalized loan costs
Other financing activities			(520)	21
Cash used in financing activities			(520)	21
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			(3,928)	(717)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents			29,808	10,226
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period			40,523	27,846
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 70,331	$ 38,072	$ 70,331	$ 38,072