Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2019	Aug. 27, 2019
Cover page.
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jul. 31, 2019
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-14977
Entity Registrant Name	SANDERSON FARMS INC
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MS
Entity Tax Identification Number	64-0615843
Entity Address, Address Line One	127 Flynt Road
Entity Address, City or Town	Laurel
Entity Address, State or Province	MS
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	39443
City Area Code	601
Local Phone Number	649-4030
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $1 par value per share
Trading Symbol	SAFM
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Share Outstanding (in shares)		22,152,741
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-31
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000812128