CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 478,037	$ 576,143
Trade accounts and other receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts	364,991	378,890
Account receivable from related parties	4,719	5,250
Inventories	788,722	790,305
Income taxes receivable	0	10,288
Current deferred tax assets	30,751	27,345
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	84,997	95,439
Assets held for sale	1,419	1,419
Total current assets	1,753,636	1,885,079
Other long-lived assets	31,488	24,406
Identified intangible assets, net	25,348	26,783
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,181,408	1,182,795
Total assets	2,991,880	3,119,063
Accounts payable	412,342	399,486
Account payable to related parties	3,698	4,862
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	272,063	311,879
Income taxes payable	41,475	3,068
Current deferred tax liabilities	26,478	25,301
Current maturities of long-term debt	133	262
Total current liabilities	756,189	744,858
Long-term debt, less current maturities	1,150,441	3,980
Deferred tax liabilities	73,908	76,216
Other long-term liabilities	102,275	97,208
Total liabilities	2,082,813	922,262
Common stock	2,597	2,590
Additional paid-in capital	1,670,978	1,662,354
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(702,763)	591,492
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(64,629)	(62,541)
Total Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation stockholders’ equity	906,183	2,193,895
Noncontrolling interest	2,884	2,906
Total stockholders’ equity	909,067	2,196,801
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 2,991,880	$ 3,119,063