DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION (USD $) In Billions, except Share data	12 Months Ended
	May 01, 2011	Jun. 14, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	SMITHFIELD FOODS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000091388
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--05-01
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	May 01, 2011
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		166,080,231
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 1.7