CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive 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		214,282,000
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income	174,042			174,234		(192)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(12)				(12)
Gains (losses) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax	(22,429)				(22,429)
Common stock issued	198,281	444	197,837
Common stock issued (in shares)		44,444,000
Share-based compensation plans:
Common stock issued under compensation plans	3	3
Common stock issued under compensation plans (in shares)		273,000
Requisite service period recognition	682	0	682
Balance at Dec. 30, 2012	908,997	2,590	1,642,003	(669,711)	(68,511)	2,626
Balance, shares at Dec. 30, 2012		258,999,000
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income	549,713			549,555		158
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	62				62
Gains (losses) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax	22,714				22,714
Share-based compensation plans:
Common stock issued under compensation plans	0	0
Common stock issued under compensation plans (in shares)		30,000
Requisite service period recognition	3,345		3,345
Tax benefit related to share-based compensation	7,771		7,771
Balance at Dec. 29, 2013	1,492,602	2,590	1,653,119	(120,156)	(45,735)	2,784
Balance, shares at Dec. 29, 2013		259,029,000
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net income	711,438			711,648		(210)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax	(31)				(31)
Gains (losses) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax	(16,775)				(16,775)
Common stock issued	332					332
Equity contribution under Tax Sharing Agreement between JBS USA Holdings Inc. and Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	3,849		3,849
Share-based compensation plans:
Requisite service period recognition	4,928		4,928
Tax benefit related to share-based compensation	458		458
Balance at Dec. 28, 2014	$ 2,196,801	$ 2,590	$ 1,662,354	$ 591,492	$ (62,541)	$ 2,906
Balance, shares at Dec. 28, 2014		259,029,000