CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 28, 2013	Apr. 29, 2012	Apr. 28, 2013	Apr. 29, 2012
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Net sales	$ 2,152,686	$ 2,012,859	$ 4,268,927	$ 4,052,298
Cost of products sold	1,799,885	1,677,252	3,571,933	3,379,282
GROSS PROFIT	352,801	335,607	696,994	673,016
Selling, general and administrative	173,066	148,684	328,897	301,161
Equity in earnings of affiliates	7,194	7,816	17,037	18,817
OPERATING INCOME	186,929	194,739	385,134	390,672
Other income and expense:
Interest and investment income	1,116	2,338	2,926	3,928
Interest expense	(3,142)	(3,283)	(6,236)	(6,497)
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	184,903	193,794	381,824	388,103
Provision for income taxes	58,262	64,859	124,138	129,835
NET EARNINGS	126,641	128,935	257,686	258,268
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest	1,121	1,048	2,450	1,986
NET EARNINGS ATTRIBUTABLE TO HORMEL FOODS CORPORATION	$ 125,520	$ 127,887	$ 255,236	$ 256,282
NET EARNINGS PER SHARE:
BASIC (in dollars per share)	$ 0.47	$ 0.49	$ 0.97	$ 0.97
DILUTED (in dollars per share)	$ 0.46	$ 0.48	$ 0.95	$ 0.95
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:
BASIC (in shares)	264,868	263,610	264,406	263,778
DILUTED (in shares)	270,780	269,061	269,960	269,334
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER SHARE: (in dollars per share)	$ 0.17	$ 0.15	$ 0.34	$ 0.30