BUSINESS ACQUISITION (Pro Forma Information) (Details) - Moy Park - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 24, 2017
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 8,280,995	$ 8,025,511
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$ 255,504	$ 558,036
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation per common share - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.03	$ 2.24