Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2019	Dec. 12, 2019	Apr. 30, 2019
Cover page.
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Oct. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Trading Symbol	SAFM
Entity Registrant Name	SANDERSON FARMS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000812128
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		22,229,817
Entity Public Float			$ 2,824,148,315
Document Annual Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-14977
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
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Tax Identification Number	64-0615843
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	MS
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ