CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016	Dec. 27, 2015
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 574,888	$ 439,638
Trade accounts and other receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts	347,401	348,994
Account receivable from related parties	6,155	2,668
Inventories	778,528	801,357
Income taxes receivable	24,105	71,410
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	76,210	75,602
Assets held for sale	6,555	6,555
Total current assets	1,813,842	1,746,224
Other long-lived assets	15,982	15,672
Identified intangible assets, net	44,458	47,453
Goodwill	161,578	156,565
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,350,890	1,352,529
Total assets	3,386,750	3,318,443
Notes payable to banks	21,577	28,726
Accounts payable	471,952	482,954
Account payable to related parties	1,654	7,000
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	279,249	314,966
Income taxes payable	20,810	13,228
Current deferred tax liabilities	0	0
Current maturities of long-term debt	88	86
Total current liabilities	795,330	846,960
Long-term debt, less current maturities	986,400	985,509
Deferred tax liabilities	132,755	131,882
Other long-term liabilities	101,076	92,282
Total liabilities	2,015,561	2,056,633
Common stock	2,597	2,597
Treasury stock	(101,890)	(99,233)
Additional paid-in capital	1,676,554	1,675,674
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(142,881)	(261,252)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(65,785)	(58,930)
Total Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation stockholders’ equity	1,368,595	1,258,856
Noncontrolling interest	2,594	2,954
Total stockholders’ equity	1,371,189	1,261,810
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 3,386,750	$ 3,318,443