CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 26, 2020	Jan. 27, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net Sales	$ 2,384,434	$ 2,360,355
Cost of Products Sold	1,916,014	1,872,021
Gross Profit	468,421	488,334
Selling, General and Administrative	195,521	193,544
Equity in Earnings of Affiliates	7,588	11,458
Operating Income	280,488	306,248
Other Income and Expense:
Interest and Investment Income	13,251	6,874
Interest Expense	(3,577)	(6,147)
Earnings Before Income Taxes	290,162	306,975
Provision for Income Taxes	47,209	65,456
Net Earnings	242,953	241,519
Less: Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	81	94
Net Earnings Attributable to Hormel Foods Corporation	$ 242,872	$ 241,425
Net Earnings Per Share
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.45	$ 0.45
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.45	$ 0.44
Weighted-average Shares Outstanding
Basic (in shares)	535,075	534,495
Diluted (in shares)	544,815	547,118