INVESTMENTS IN AND RECEIVABLES FROM AFFILIATES (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Jul. 29, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 29, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Oct. 30, 2011
Investments in and receivables from affiliates
Investments in and receivables from affiliates	$ 296,785,000		$ 296,785,000		$ 295,698,000
Equity in earnings of affiliates	9,823,000	5,562,000	28,640,000	19,139,000
MegaMex Foods, LLC
Investments in and receivables from affiliates
Ownership percentage	50.00%		50.00%		50.00%
Investments in and receivables from affiliates	216,076,000		216,076,000		205,523,000
Equity in earnings of affiliates	9,489,000	4,323,000	25,614,000	16,011,000
Excess of investment over the underlying equity in net assets of the joint venture	21,300,000		21,300,000
Purefoods-Hormel Company
Investments in and receivables from affiliates
Ownership percentage	40.00%		40.00%		40.00%
Investments in and receivables from affiliates	59,442,000		59,442,000		65,140,000
Equity in earnings of affiliates	1,167,000	1,017,000	5,636,000	3,821,000
San Miguel Purefoods (Vietnam) Co. Ltd.
Investments in and receivables from affiliates
Ownership percentage	49.00%		49.00%		49.00%
Investments in and receivables from affiliates	12,819,000		12,819,000		17,442,000
Equity in earnings of affiliates	(1,127,000)	109,000	(3,495,000)	(902,000)
Other
Investments in and receivables from affiliates
Investments in and receivables from affiliates	8,448,000		8,448,000		7,593,000
Equity in earnings of affiliates	$ 294,000	$ 113,000	$ 885,000	$ 209,000

The item represents the difference, if any, between the amount at which an investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting is carried (reported) on the balance sheet and the amount of underlying equity in net assets the reporting Entity has in the investee. A difference can arise between the carrying value of the equity method investment and the value of the Entity's amount of underlying equity in net assets of the investee, for example, from appreciation of certain assets which is not recognized in earnings, but is recognized in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity) by the investee.

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The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

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- Definition

This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 18

-Paragraph 19

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 18

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 28

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

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Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

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Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Section S99

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-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.12)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

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