Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2020	Dec. 10, 2020	Apr. 30, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Oct. 31, 2020
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 Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
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 Public Float			$ 2,550,803,170
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		22,324,562
Documents Incorporated by Reference	Portions of the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement filed or to be filed in connection with its 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III.
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Entity Central Index Key	0000812128
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-31
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true