SEGMENT REPORTING (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Jul. 28, 2013	Jul. 29, 2012	Jul. 28, 2013 segment	Jul. 29, 2012
SEGMENT REPORTING
Number of reportable business segments			5
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers	$ 2,159,525	$ 2,008,188	$ 6,428,452	$ 6,060,486
Intersegment Sales	34,236	32,327	100,011	100,658
Net Sales	2,159,525	2,008,188	6,428,452	6,060,486
Segment Operating Profit	183,216	173,842	582,295	577,343
Net interest and investment expense (income)	3,577	2,363	6,887	4,932
General corporate expense	2,833	3,225	19,228	18,040
Noncontrolling interest	270	1,240	2,720	3,226
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES	177,076	169,494	558,900	557,597
Grocery Products
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers	370,297	297,177	1,097,942	830,649
Net Sales	370,297	297,177	1,097,942	830,649
Segment Operating Profit	52,962	40,052	150,170	127,003
Refrigerated Foods
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers	1,068,587	1,043,311	3,143,358	3,158,811
Intersegment Sales	4,654	2,385	10,393	7,929
Net Sales	1,073,241	1,045,696	3,153,751	3,166,740
Segment Operating Profit	44,769	60,757	153,239	167,515
Jennie-O Turkey Store
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers	367,125	351,604	1,142,198	1,120,028
Intersegment Sales	29,559	29,901	89,542	92,621
Net Sales	396,684	381,505	1,231,740	1,212,649
Segment Operating Profit	45,623	39,106	156,567	186,066
Specialty Foods
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers	240,512	230,072	720,048	677,043
Intersegment Sales	23	41	76	108
Net Sales	240,535	230,113	720,124	677,151
Segment Operating Profit	23,170	21,490	72,898	58,996
International & Other
Operating profit and other financial information
Sales to Unaffiliated Customers	113,004	86,024	324,906	273,955
Net Sales	113,004	86,024	324,906	273,955
Segment Operating Profit	16,692	12,437	49,421	37,763
Intersegment elimination
Operating profit and other financial information
Intersegment Sales	(34,236)	(32,327)	(100,011)	(100,658)
Net Sales	$ (34,236)	$ (32,327)	$ (100,011)	$ (100,658)
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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