CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 26, 2017	Mar. 27, 2016
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 94,463	$ 118,011
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Gain associated with available-for-sale securities, net of tax benefit of $41	0	30
Gain (loss) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax expense (benefit) of $802 and $(4,155), respectively	1,322	(6,885)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	1,322	(6,855)
Comprehensive income	95,785	111,156
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	542	(360)
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation	$ 95,243	$ 111,516