Revenues and EBIT for Reportable Operating Segments and Corporate (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended						4 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012	Jun. 16, 2012	Mar. 24, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jun. 18, 2011	Mar. 26, 2011	Oct. 06, 2012	Oct. 08, 2011	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Jan. 01, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 887,630	$ 1,079,981	$ 1,086,379	$ 962,046	$ 1,316,855	$ 1,172,068	$ 1,192,718	$ 1,327,455	$ 4,246,708	$ 4,778,424	$ 4,686,858
Share-based compensation									(12,653)	(9,143)	(6,642)
Operating segments EBIT									128,296	170,201	144,259
Interest expense									(12,219)	(9,628)	(8,256)
Income taxes									(10,755)	2,070	(6,000)
Income from continuing operations	(87,584)	53,089	28,455	5,497	52,580	56,029	7,245	(12,328)	1,205	101,778	78,040
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(130,033)	12,450	(11,311)	(1,778)	30,114	(53,984)	(21,109)	(34,676)	(150,003)	(60,324)	(111,163)
Gain from disposal of discontinued operations, net of income taxes	7,231				339				7,231	339	2,957
Net income (loss)	(210,386)	65,539	17,144	3,719	83,033	2,045	(13,864)	(47,004)	(141,567)	41,793	(30,166)
Fresh Fruit
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									3,141,192	3,757,048	3,694,487
Operating segments EBIT									103,457	138,846	109,931
Fresh Vegetables
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,103,999	1,019,673	990,807
Operating segments EBIT									24,839	31,355	34,328
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,517	1,703	1,564
Share-based compensation									(7,539)	(5,808)	(4,533)
Operating expenses, net									(47,709)	(53,333)	(44,257)
Operating segments EBIT									(104,117)	(60,865)	(51,963)
Corporate | Foreign Denominated Instruments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Foreign currency derivatives									(474)	(1,724)	(3,173)
Corporate | ITOCHU
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Itochu transaction costs									$ (48,395)