-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 ygdbal3iIqBxRb3hI5pAyw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000903686-03-000001.txt : 20031230
<SEC-HEADER>0000903686-03-000001.hdr.sgml : 20031230
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031230120610
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000903686-03-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031224
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031230

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FARMER ROY FRANCIS
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000903686

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-01375
		FILM NUMBER:		031076997

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		FARMER BROS CO
		STREET 2:		20333 SOUTH NORMANDIE AVE
		CITY:			TORRANCE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90502

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		20335 S NORMANDIE AVE
		CITY:			TORRANCE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90502

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FARMER BROTHERS CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000034563
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MISCELLANEOUS FOOD PREPARATIONS & KINDRED PRODUCTS [2090]
		IRS NUMBER:				950725980
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		20333 S NORMANDIE AVE
		CITY:			TORRANCE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90502
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3107875200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		20333 SOUTH NORMANDIE AVENUE
		CITY:			TORRANCE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90502
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-12-24</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000034563</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FARMER BROTHERS CO</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>farm</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000903686</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FARMER ROY FRANCIS</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>20335 S NORMANDIE AVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>TORRANCE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>90502</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Trustee</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>farm</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-12-24</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate>
                <value>2003-12-24</value>
            </deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>94050</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>259.73</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>448336</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Trustee of trusts for family memberd</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>


    <remarks>Reference is made to recent Form 4 from Children's Trust</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Roy F. Farmer</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-12-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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