CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 25, 2016	Dec. 27, 2015
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 85,994	$ 439,638
Trade accounts and other receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts	350,810	348,994
Account receivable from related parties	3,491	2,668
Inventories	796,808	801,357
Income taxes receivable	51,057	71,410
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	75,686	75,602
Assets held for sale	6,049	6,555
Total current assets	1,369,895	1,746,224
Other long-lived assets	15,887	15,672
Identified intangible assets, net	40,548	47,453
Goodwill	125,607	156,565
Property, plant and equipment, net	1,450,352	1,352,529
Total assets	3,002,289	3,318,443
Notes payable to banks	0	28,726
Accounts payable	494,076	482,954
Account payable to related parties	9,689	7,000
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	297,214	314,966
Income taxes payable	43,258	13,228
Current maturities of long-term debt	92	86
Total current liabilities	844,329	846,960
Long-term debt, less current maturities	1,004,840	985,509
Deferred tax liabilities	144,423	131,882
Other long-term liabilities	91,890	92,282
Total liabilities	2,085,482	2,056,633
Common stock	2,597	2,597
Treasury stock	(119,566)	(99,233)
Additional paid-in capital	1,681,005	1,675,674
Accumulated deficit	(591,253)	(261,252)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(65,848)	(58,930)
Total Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation stockholders’ equity	906,935	1,258,856
Noncontrolling interest	9,872	2,954
Total stockholders’ equity	916,807	1,261,810
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 3,002,289	$ 3,318,443