Segment Reporting - Operating Profit (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 28, 2018	Oct. 29, 2017	Oct. 30, 2016
Operating profit and other financial information
Segment Operating Profit	$ 1,198,921	$ 1,280,469	$ 1,323,895	[1]
Net interest and investment expense (income)	17,637	1,824	6,680
General corporate expense	46,534	28,091	49,436
Noncontrolling interest	442	368	465	[1]
Earnings Before Income Taxes	1,181,284	1,278,645	1,317,215	[1]
Operating Segment
Operating profit and other financial information
Segment Operating Profit	1,245,013	1,308,192	1,372,866
Grocery Products | Operating Segment
Operating profit and other financial information
Segment Operating Profit	362,750	387,637	379,378
Refrigerated Foods | Operating Segment
Operating profit and other financial information
Segment Operating Profit	617,626	587,929	585,652
Jennie-O Turkey Store | Operating Segment
Operating profit and other financial information
Segment Operating Profit	175,684	247,322	329,427
International & Other | Operating Segment
Operating profit and other financial information
Segment Operating Profit	$ 88,953	$ 85,304	$ 78,409

[1] Fiscal 2016 included 53 weeks.