CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 27, 2013	Oct. 28, 2012
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 887,677	$ 682,388
Short-term marketable securities		77,387
Accounts receivable	466,536	507,041
Inventories	953,682	950,521
Income taxes receivable		16,460
Deferred income taxes	70,402	68,560
Prepaid expenses	13,276	12,772
Other current assets	8,272	5,555
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS	2,399,845	2,320,684
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES	141,233	144,245
GOODWILL	630,875	630,875
OTHER INTANGIBLES	120,882	123,072
PENSION ASSETS	49	49
INVESTMENTS IN AND RECEIVABLES FROM AFFILIATES	280,886	286,537
OTHER ASSETS	132,866	134,024
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Land	56,506	56,258
Buildings	771,628	767,876
Equipment	1,452,593	1,435,630
Construction in progress	75,422	82,254
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	2,356,149	2,342,018
Less allowance for depreciation	(1,439,955)	(1,417,538)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	916,194	924,480
TOTAL ASSETS	4,622,830	4,563,966
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable	324,367	385,877
Accrued expenses	58,027	49,792
Accrued workers compensation	35,623	33,543
Accrued marketing expenses	98,334	78,712
Employee related expenses	138,077	193,463
Taxes payable	35,082	4,864
Interest and dividends payable	47,876	40,049
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES	737,386	786,300
PENSION AND POST-RETIREMENT BENEFITS	613,009	615,428
LONG-TERM DEBT-less current maturities	250,000	250,000
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES	88,483	87,313
SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT
Preferred stock, par value $.01 a share-authorized 160,000,000 shares; issued-none
Additional paid-in capital	23,494
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(324,458)	(323,569)
Retained earnings	3,220,347	3,135,317
HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT	2,927,138	2,819,455
NONCONTROLLING INTEREST	6,814	5,470
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT	2,933,952	2,824,925
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT	4,622,830	4,563,966
Common stock, non-voting
SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT
Common stock
Common stock
SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT
Common stock	$ 7,755	$ 7,707