RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Schedule of Related Party Transactions) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Apr. 01, 2018	Mar. 26, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Sales to related party	$ 8,685	$ 11,789
Cost of goods purchased from related parties	32,932	30,650
Expenditures paid by related party on behalf of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	10,499	12,808
Expenditures paid on behalf of related parties	2,308	865
Accounts receivable from related parties	1,471		$ 2,951
Accounts payable to related parties	5,475		2,889
JBS USA Food Company
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Sales to related party	1,529	4,563
Cost of goods purchased from related parties	27,824	27,289
Expenditures paid by related party on behalf of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	10,499	10,949
Expenditures paid on behalf of related parties	2,288	865
Accounts receivable from related parties	1,418		2,826
Accounts payable to related parties	3,558		440
Goods in transit	800
JBS Five Rivers
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Sales to related party	7,096	7,122
JBS Global (UK) Ltd.
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Sales to related party	0	0
JBS Chile Ltda
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Sales to related party	60	0
Accounts receivable from related parties	29		108
J&F Investimentos
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Sales to related party	0	104
JBS Seara Meats B.V.
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cost of goods purchased from related parties	4,240	3,361
Accounts receivable from related parties	1		2
Accounts payable to related parties	1,844		2,410
JBS Aves Ltda.
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cost of goods purchased from related parties	703	0
JBS Toledo
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cost of goods purchased from related parties	165	0
Accounts payable to related parties	73		39
JBS SA
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Expenditures paid by related party on behalf of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation	0	1,859
Seara International Ltd.
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Expenditures paid on behalf of related parties	20	$ 0
Accounts receivable from related parties	$ 23		$ 15

Related Party Transaction, Expenditures Paid By Related Party On Behalf Of Company

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Related Party Transaction, Expenditures Paid On Behalf Of Related Parties

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Amount for accounts payable to related parties. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).

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Amount of receivables arising from transactions with related parties due within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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Gross amount of merchandise or supplies to which the entity holds the title but does not hold physical possession because the goods are currently being transported.

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Amount included in cost of sales related to transactions with related parties incurred and recorded in the statement of operations for the period.

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