CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 28, 2018	Oct. 29, 2017	Oct. 30, 2016	[1]
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 9,545,700	$ 9,167,519	$ 9,523,224
Cost of products sold	7,550,267	7,164,356	7,365,049
Gross Profit	1,995,433	2,003,163	2,158,175
Selling, general and administrative	838,205	762,104	871,974
Goodwill/intangible impairment	17,279	180	991	[2]
Equity in earnings of affiliates	58,972	39,590	38,685
Operating Income	1,198,921	1,280,469	1,323,895
Other income and expense:
Interest and investment income	8,857	10,859	6,191
Interest expense	(26,494)	(12,683)	(12,871)
Earnings Before Income Taxes	1,181,284	1,278,645	1,317,215
Provision for income taxes	168,702	431,542	426,698
Net Earnings	1,012,582	847,103	890,517	[2],[3]
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest	442	368	465
Net Earnings Attributable to Hormel Foods Corporation	$ 1,012,140	$ 846,735	$ 890,052
Net Earnings per Share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.91	$ 1.60	$ 1.68
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.86	$ 1.57	$ 1.64
Weighted-Average Shares Outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	530,742	528,363	529,290
Diluted (in shares)	543,869	539,116	542,473

[1] Fiscal 2016 included 53 weeks.

[2] Fiscal 2016 included 53 weeks.

[3] Fiscal 2016 included 53 weeks.