CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 27, 2013	Jan. 29, 2012
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Net sales	$ 2,116,241	$ 2,039,439
Cost of products sold	1,772,048	1,702,030
GROSS PROFIT	344,193	337,409
Selling, general and administrative	155,831	152,477
Equity in earnings of affiliates	9,843	11,001
OPERATING INCOME	198,205	195,933
Other income and expense:
Interest and investment income	1,810	1,590
Interest expense	(3,094)	(3,214)
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	196,921	194,309
Provision for income taxes	65,876	64,976
NET EARNINGS	131,045	129,333
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,329	938
NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION	$ 129,716	$ 128,395
NET EARNINGS PER SHARE:
BASIC (in dollars per share)	$ 0.49	$ 0.49
DILUTED (in dollars per share)	$ 0.48	$ 0.48
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:
BASIC (in shares)	263,944	263,946
DILUTED (in shares)	269,140	269,608
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE:	$ 0.17	$ 0.15