CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 26, 2016	Dec. 27, 2015
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 41,047	$ 439,638
Trade accounts and other receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts	343,255	348,994
Account receivable from related parties	1,797	2,668
Inventories	832,565	801,357
Income taxes receivable	88,358	71,410
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	95,420	75,602
Assets held for sale	6,549	6,555
Total current assets	1,408,991	1,746,224
Other long-lived assets	15,954	15,672
Identified intangible assets, net	42,503	47,453
Goodwill	125,607	156,565
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,414,895	1,352,529
Total assets	3,007,950	3,318,443
Notes payable to banks	0	28,726
Accounts payable	466,783	482,954
Account payable to related parties	4,053	7,000
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	314,925	314,966
Income taxes payable	38,771	13,228
Current maturities of long-term debt	90	86
Total current liabilities	824,622	846,960
Long-term debt, less current maturities	1,117,979	985,509
Deferred tax liabilities	144,876	131,882
Other long-term liabilities	101,780	92,282
Total liabilities	2,189,257	2,056,633
Common stock	2,597	2,597
Treasury stock	(106,561)	(99,233)
Additional paid-in capital	1,677,543	1,675,674
Accumulated deficit	(689,910)	(261,252)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(67,726)	(58,930)
Total Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation stockholders’ equity	815,943	1,258,856
Noncontrolling interest	2,750	2,954
Total stockholders’ equity	818,693	1,261,810
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 3,007,950	$ 3,318,443