CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 27, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 645,962	$ 711,438	$ 549,713
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Gain (loss) associated with available-for-sale securities, net of tax expense of $22, $19 and $0, respectively	36	(31)	62
Gain (loss) associated with pension and other postretirement benefits, net of tax expense (benefit) of $2,168, $(10,173) and $13,774, respectively	3,575	(16,775)	22,714
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	3,611	(16,806)	22,776
Comprehensive income	649,573	694,632	572,489
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	48	(210)	158
Comprehensive income attributable to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	$ 649,525	$ 694,842	$ 572,331