CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 25, 2021	Apr. 26, 2020	Apr. 25, 2021	Apr. 26, 2020
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net Sales	$ 2,606,621	$ 2,422,465	$ 5,067,768	$ 4,806,899
Cost of Products Sold	2,130,314	1,945,113	4,141,291	3,861,127
Gross Profit	476,307	477,352	926,477	945,773
Selling, General and Administrative	199,966	193,912	396,346	389,433
Equity in Earnings of Affiliates	13,074	10,021	27,302	17,608
Operating Income	289,415	293,460	557,433	573,948
Other Income and Expense:
Interest and Investment Income (Expense)	10,992	(3,474)	28,284	9,777
Interest Expense	(7,788)	(3,497)	(16,015)	(7,074)
Earnings Before Income Taxes	292,620	286,489	569,702	576,651
Provision for Income Taxes	64,699	58,873	119,386	106,083
Net Earnings	227,921	227,615	450,316	470,568
Less: Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	21	(119)	133	(39)
Net Earnings Attributable to Hormel Foods Corporation	$ 227,901	$ 227,734	$ 450,184	$ 470,606
Net Earnings Per Share
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.42	$ 0.42	$ 0.83	$ 0.88
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.42	$ 0.42	$ 0.82	$ 0.86
Weighted-average Shares Outstanding
Basic (in shares)	540,195	538,119	540,054	536,597
Diluted (in shares)	547,536	546,373	547,490	545,594