CONSOLIDATED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 640,842	$ 581,510
Restricted cash	33,185	8,021
Trade accounts and other receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts	589,933	565,478
Accounts receivable from related parties	1,179	2,951
Inventories	1,190,017	1,255,070
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	132,820	102,550
Assets held for sale	2,904	708
Total current assets	2,590,880	2,516,288
Deferred tax assets	3,149	0
Other long-lived assets	18,276	18,165
Identified intangible assets, net	593,751	617,163
Goodwill	982,560	1,001,889
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,113,953	2,095,147
Total assets	6,302,569	6,248,652
Accounts payable	815,696	733,027
Accounts payable to related parties	26,941	2,889
Revenue contract liability	32,200	36,607
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	407,442	410,152
Income taxes payable	60,174	222,073
Current maturities of long-term debt	44,606	47,775
Total current liabilities	1,387,059	1,452,523
Long-term debt, less current maturities	2,584,486	2,635,617
Deferred tax liabilities	196,561	208,492
Other long-term liabilities	80,045	96,359
Total liabilities	4,248,151	4,392,991
Common stock	2,604	2,602
Treasury stock	(231,758)	(231,758)
Additional paid-in capital	1,938,140	1,932,509
Retained earnings	399,902	173,943
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(63,584)	(31,140)
Total Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation stockholders’ equity	2,045,304	1,846,156
Noncontrolling interest	9,114	9,505
Total stockholders’ equity	2,054,418	1,855,661
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 6,302,569	$ 6,248,652