CONSOLIDATED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 401,306	$ 581,510
Restricted cash	14,534	8,021
Trade accounts and other receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts	559,559	565,478
Accounts receivable from related parties	652	2,951
Inventories	1,182,962	1,255,070
Income taxes receivable	4,568	0
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	116,536	102,550
Assets held for sale	2,616	708
Total current assets	2,282,733	2,516,288
Deferred tax assets	3,167	0
Other long-lived assets	17,162	18,165
Identified intangible assets, net	581,119	617,163
Goodwill	971,611	1,001,889
Property, plant and equipment, net	2,120,646	2,095,147
Total assets	5,976,438	6,248,652
Accounts payable	817,927	733,027
Accounts payable to related parties	6,795	2,889
Revenue contract liability	28,873	36,607
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	403,146	410,152
Income taxes payable	42,369	222,073
Current maturities of long-term debt	24,026	47,775
Total current liabilities	1,323,136	1,452,523
Long-term debt, less current maturities	2,302,194	2,635,617
Noncurrent income taxes payable	7,731	0
Deferred tax liabilities	205,604	208,492
Other long-term liabilities	70,230	96,359
Total liabilities	3,908,895	4,392,991
Common stock	2,604	2,602
Treasury stock	(231,758)	(231,758)
Additional paid-in capital	1,941,766	1,932,509
Retained earnings	429,212	173,943
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(83,548)	(31,140)
Total Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation stockholders’ equity	2,058,276	1,846,156
Noncontrolling interest	9,267	9,505
Total stockholders’ equity	2,067,543	1,855,661
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 5,976,438	$ 6,248,652