Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits (Details Textuals)	3 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2011
Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits (Textual) [Abstract]
Reduction in positions due to restructuring	850

Name:

sjm_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedNumberOfPositionsEliminated

Namespace Prefix:

sjm

Data Type:

xbrli:integerItemType

Balance Type:

na

Period Type:

duration