BUSINESS ACQUISITION - Pro Forma Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 3,074,928	$ 3,066,174
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's	$ 68,513	$ 103,736
Net income attributable to Pilgrim's per common share - diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.27	$ 0.42