CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss [Member]	Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 30, 2012		258,999	0
Balance at Dec. 30, 2012	$ 908,997	$ 2,590	$ 0	$ 1,642,003	$ (669,711)	$ (68,511)	$ 2,626
Comprehensive income:
Net income	549,713				549,555		158
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	22,776					22,776
Share-based compensation plans:
Common stock issued under compensation plans (in shares)		30
Common stock issued under compensation plans	0	$ 0
Requisite service period recognition	3,345			3,345
Tax benefit related to share-based compensation	7,771			7,771
Balance at Dec. 29, 2013	1,492,602	$ 2,590	$ 0	1,653,119	(120,156)	(45,735)	2,784
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 29, 2013		259,029	0
Comprehensive income:
Net income	711,438				711,648		(210)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(16,806)					(16,806)
Issuance of subsidiary common stock	332						332
Equity contribution under Tax Sharing Agreement between JBS USA Food Company Holdings and Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	3,849			3,849
Share-based compensation plans:
Requisite service period recognition	4,928			4,928
Tax benefit related to share-based compensation	458			458
Balance at Dec. 28, 2014	2,196,801	$ 2,590	$ 0	1,662,354	591,492	(62,541)	2,906
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 28, 2014		259,029	0
Comprehensive income:
Net income	645,962				645,914		48
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	3,611					3,611
Equity contribution under Tax Sharing Agreement between JBS USA Food Company Holdings and Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	3,690			3,690
Share-based compensation plans:
Common stock issued under compensation plans (in shares)		671
Common stock issued under compensation plans	0	$ 7		(7)
Common stock forfeited under compensation plans (in shares)		(15)
Common stock forfeited under compensation plans	(85)	$ 0		(85)
Requisite service period recognition	3,060			3,060
Tax benefit related to share-based compensation	6,474			6,474
Treasury stock purchases (in shares)			(4,862)
Treasury stock purchases	(99,233)		$ (99,233)
Special cash dividend	(1,498,470)				(1,498,470)
Other	0			188	(188)
Balance at Dec. 27, 2015	$ 1,261,810	$ 2,597	$ 99,233	$ 1,675,674	$ (261,252)	$ (58,930)	$ 2,954
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 27, 2015		259,685	4,862