CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 25, 2016	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 439,729	$ 645,962	$ 711,438
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Gain (loss) associated with available-for-sale securities, net of tax expense (benefit) of $(40), $22 and $19, respectively	(66)	36	(31)
Gain (loss) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax expense (benefit) of $(3,181), $2,168 and $(10,173), respectively	(5,247)	3,575	(16,775)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(5,313)	3,611	(16,806)
Comprehensive income	434,416	649,573	694,632
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(803)	48	(210)
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$ 435,219	$ 649,525	$ 694,842