CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 28, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 574,194	$ 576,143
Trade accounts and other receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts	348,011	378,890
Account receivable from related parties	1,115	5,250
Inventories	787,113	790,305
Income taxes receivable	64,346	10,288
Current deferred tax assets	34,156	27,345
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	88,204	95,439
Assets held for sale	6,580	1,419
Total current assets	1,903,719	1,885,079
Other long-lived assets	30,489	24,406
Identified intangible assets, net	23,912	26,783
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,189,121	1,182,795
Total assets	3,147,241	3,119,063
Accounts payable	469,135	399,486
Account payable to related parties	4,384	4,862
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	296,668	311,879
Income taxes payable	22,902	3,068
Current deferred tax liabilities	25,359	25,301
Current maturities of long-term debt	117	262
Total current liabilities	818,565	744,858
Long-term debt, less current maturities	1,000,420	3,980
Deferred tax liabilities	80,836	76,216
Other long-term liabilities	87,467	97,208
Total liabilities	1,987,288	922,262
Common stock	2,597	2,590
Additional paid-in capital	1,671,449	1,662,354
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(461,274)	591,492
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(55,838)	(62,541)
Total Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation stockholders’ equity	1,156,934	2,193,895
Noncontrolling interest	3,019	2,906
Total stockholders’ equity	1,159,953	2,196,801
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 3,147,241	$ 3,119,063