CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 29, 2012	Jan. 30, 2011
Net sales	$ 2,039,439	$ 1,921,558
Cost of products sold	1,702,030	1,547,553
GROSS PROFIT	337,409	374,005
Selling, general and administrative	152,477	145,161
Equity in earnings of affiliates	11,001	6,905
OPERATING INCOME	195,933	235,749
Other income and expense:
Interest and investment income	1,590	441
Interest expense	(3,214)	(6,579)
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	194,309	229,611
Provision for income taxes	64,976	79,576
NET EARNINGS	129,333	150,035
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest	938	1,209
NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION	$ 128,395	$ 148,826
NET EARNINGS PER SHARE:
BASIC (in dollars per share)	$ 0.49	$ 0.56
DILUTED (in dollars per share)	$ 0.48	$ 0.55
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:
BASIC (in shares)	263,946	266,560
DILUTED (in shares)	269,608	271,740
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE: (in dollars per share)	$ 0.1500	$ 0.1275