SEGMENT REPORTING (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Apr. 28, 2013	Apr. 29, 2012	Apr. 28, 2013 segment	Apr. 29, 2012
SEGMENT REPORTING
Number of reportable business segments			5
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers	$ 2,152,686	$ 2,012,859	$ 4,268,927	$ 4,052,298
Intersegment Sales	32,880	35,742	65,775	68,331
Net Sales	2,152,686	2,012,859	4,268,927	4,052,298
Segment Operating Profit	195,559	199,779	399,079	403,501
Net interest and investment expense (income)	2,026	945	3,310	2,569
General corporate expense	9,751	6,088	16,395	14,815
Noncontrolling interest	1,121	1,048	2,450	1,986
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	184,903	193,794	381,824	388,103
Grocery Products
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers	393,505	263,993	727,645	533,472
Net Sales	393,505	263,993	727,645	533,472
Segment Operating Profit	47,295	42,858	97,208	86,951
Refrigerated Foods
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers	1,011,370	1,031,975	2,074,771	2,115,500
Intersegment Sales	3,296	3,131	5,739	5,544
Net Sales	1,014,666	1,035,106	2,080,510	2,121,044
Segment Operating Profit	54,680	53,009	108,470	106,758
Jennie-O Turkey Store
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers	384,739	391,053	775,073	768,424
Intersegment Sales	29,562	32,585	59,983	62,720
Net Sales	414,301	423,638	835,056	831,144
Segment Operating Profit	51,999	70,198	110,944	146,960
Specialty Foods
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers	245,691	228,947	479,536	446,971
Intersegment Sales	22	26	53	67
Net Sales	245,713	228,973	479,589	447,038
Segment Operating Profit	25,967	20,859	49,728	37,506
International & Other
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers	117,381	96,891	211,902	187,931
Net Sales	117,381	96,891	211,902	187,931
Segment Operating Profit	15,618	12,855	32,729	25,326
Intersegment elimination
Operating profit and other financial information
Intersegment Sales	(32,880)	(35,742)	(65,775)	(68,331)
Net Sales	$ (32,880)	$ (35,742)	$ (65,775)	$ (68,331)
Precept Foods, LLC
Operating profit and other financial information
Ownership percentage held by entity in joint venture			50.01%

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Represents net interest and investment (income) expense during the period.

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The net result for the period of deducting segment operating expenses from segment operating revenues, including the income (loss) from equity method investments.

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This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses from ongoing operations, after income or loss from equity method investments, but before income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

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Amount of Net Income (Loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest.

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Number of segments reported by the entity. A reportable segment is a component of an entity for which there is an accounting requirement to report separate financial information on that component in the entity's financial statements.

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Amount of revenue from external customers for the reportable segment. Such disclosure is presented if the amount is: (a) included in the measure of segment profit or loss reviewed by the chief operating decision maker or (b) otherwise regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker, even if not included in that measure of segment profit or loss.

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Amount of revenue from transactions with other operating segments of the same entity.

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Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

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