CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2015	Jun. 29, 2014	Jun. 28, 2015	Jun. 29, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 241,624	$ 190,445	$ 445,817	$ 288,632
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Gain (loss) associated with available-for-sale securities, net of tax benefit (expense) of $1, $(3), $13 and $(20), respectively	(1)	7	(20)	(29)
Gain (loss) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax benefit (expense) of $(5,331), $2,200, $(4,077) and $5,709, respectively	8,792	(3,629)	6,723	(9,415)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	8,791	(3,622)	6,703	(9,444)
Comprehensive income	250,415	186,823	452,520	279,188
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	135	85	113	155
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$ 250,280	$ 186,738	$ 452,407	$ 279,033