BUSINESS ACQUISITION (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands, £ in Millions, lb in Millions, bird / WK in Millions			3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 08, 2017 USD ($) bird / WK lb hatchery mill plant	Sep. 08, 2017 GBP (£)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) employee bird / WK	Sep. 24, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) employee bird / WK	Sep. 24, 2017 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Maximum processing capacity of employees per week (in birds per week) | bird / WK			45.3		45.3
Number of employees of acquiree | employee			51,300		51,300
Net sales			$ 2,697,604	$ 2,793,885	$ 8,280,995	$ 8,025,511
Net income attributable to Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation			$ 29,310	232,680	$ 255,269	560,242
Moy Park
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of equity acquired	100.00%
Cash consideration	$ 301,300
Note payable for consideration transferred | £		£ 562.5
Number of processing plants | plant	4
Prepared foods cook plants | plant	10
Feed mills | mill	3
Hatcheries | hatchery	6
Rendering facilities | plant	1
Maximum processing capacity of employees per week (in birds per week) | bird / WK	6.1
Food prepared, annual amount | lb	460.0
Number of employees of acquiree | employee			10,400		10,400
Transaction costs	$ 19,900
Net sales			$ 526,700	514,300	$ 1,600,000	1,500,000
Net income attributable to Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation			$ 17,700	$ 8,200	$ 39,500	$ 25,600