CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 29, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 29, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Net sales	$ 2,008,188	$ 1,910,592	$ 6,060,486	$ 5,791,191
Cost of products sold	1,701,132	1,612,737	5,080,414	4,793,104
GROSS PROFIT	307,056	297,855	980,072	998,087
Selling, general and administrative	145,022	156,595	446,183	461,892
Equity in earnings of affiliates	9,823	5,562	28,640	19,139
OPERATING INCOME	171,857	146,822	562,529	555,334
Other income and expense:
Interest and investment income	844	139	4,772	2,552
Interest expense	(3,207)	(5,623)	(9,704)	(19,389)
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	169,494	141,338	557,597	538,497
Provision for income taxes	57,087	41,374	186,922	177,796
NET EARNINGS	112,407	99,964	370,675	360,701
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,240	1,483	3,226	3,815
NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION	$ 111,167	$ 98,481	$ 367,449	$ 356,886
NET EARNINGS PER SHARE:
BASIC (in dollars per share)	$ 0.42	$ 0.37	$ 1.39	$ 1.34
DILUTED (in dollars per share)	$ 0.41	$ 0.36	$ 1.37	$ 1.31
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:
BASIC (in shares)	263,359	266,925	263,638	266,887
DILUTED (in shares)	268,746	272,759	269,138	272,449
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE: (in dollars per share)	$ 0.1500	$ 0.1275	$ 0.4500	$ 0.3825