CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 711,438us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 549,713us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ 174,042us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax of $19, $0 and $0, respectively	(31)	62	(12)
Gain (loss) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax of $(10,173), $13,774 and $0, respectively	(16,775)	22,714	(22,429)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(16,806)	22,776	(22,441)
Comprehensive income	694,632	572,489	151,601
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(210)	158	(192)
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$ 694,842us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ 572,331us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ 151,793us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss), attributable to noncontrolling interests. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount after tax of (increase) decrease in the value of the projected benefit obligation related to a change in an actuarial assumption and increase (decrease) in the value of the plan assets resulting from experience different from that assumed, that has not been recognized in net periodic benefit (cost) credit.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss).

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Amount after tax, before reclassification adjustments, of unrealized holding gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities.

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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