SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	9 Months Ended
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	Sep. 28, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Reportable Segments	Smithfield Foods, Inc., together with its subsidiaries ("Smithfield," "the Company," "we," "us" or "our"), is the largest hog producer and pork processor in the world. We produce and market a wide variety of fresh meat and packaged meats products both domestically and internationally. We conduct our operations through five reportable segments: Fresh Pork, Packaged Meats, Hog Production, International and Corporate. See Note 12—Reportable Segments for additional information about changes to our reportable segments during the current year.
Business Description and Basis of Presentation [Text Block]	Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. You should read these statements and notes in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in our Transition Report on Form 10-K for the eight months ended December 29, 2013. The information reflects all normal recurring adjustments which we believe are necessary to present fairly the financial position and results of operations for all periods included.
Business Combinations	The Merger was accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting. WH Group's cost of acquiring the Company has been pushed-down to establish a new accounting basis for the Company. Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to "Successor" refer to Smithfield Foods, Inc. and all its subsidiaries for the period subsequent to the Merger. All references to “Predecessor” refer to Smithfield Foods, Inc. and all its subsidiaries for all periods prior to the Merger. Purchase price allocations resulting from the Merger affect the comparability of results of operations for the Successor and Predecessor periods. The consolidated condensed balance sheets, as of September 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, reflect various fair value estimates and analyses resulting from applying the acquisition method of accounting as of the Merger Date, including work performed by third-party valuation specialists. This work was finalized during the third quarter of 2014 with no material
Fiscal Period, Policy	Change in Fiscal Year End On January 16, 2014, the Company elected to change its fiscal year end from the 52 or 53 week period which previously ended on the Sunday nearest April 30 to the 52 or 53 week period which ends on the Sunday nearest December 31. The change in fiscal year was made effective as of December 29, 2013. Accordingly, the three months ended September 28, 2014 correspond to the third quarter of 2014 and the three months ended September 26, 2013 correspond to the third quarter of 2013.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update 2013-11, Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit when a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (ASU 2013-11). This update does not have a significant impact on our consolidated condensed balance sheet. In May 2014, the FASB and International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenues from Contracts with Customers (ASU 2014-09). The standard outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance. The core principle of the revenue model is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU applies to all contracts with customers, except those that are within the scope of other topics in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification. Compared with current U.S. GAAP, the ASU also requires significantly expanded disclosures about revenue recognition. The new guidance is effective for fiscal year and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption is not permitted. The guidance is not currently effective for us and has not been applied in this Form 10-Q. We are currently in the process of evaluating the potential impact of future adoption but at this time do not anticipate it will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In August 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements-Going Concern (ASU 2014-15). The new guidance is effective for annual reporting periods ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The impact of adoption will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Disclosure of accounting policy for completed business combinations (purchase method, acquisition method or combination of entities under common control). This accounting policy may include a general discussion of the purchase method or acquisition method of accounting (including for example, the treatment accorded contingent consideration, the identification of assets and liabilities, the purchase price allocation process, how the fair values of acquired assets and liabilities are determined) and the entity's specific application thereof. An entity that acquires another entity in a leveraged buyout transaction generally discloses the accounting policy followed by the acquiring entity in determining the basis used to value its interest in the acquired entity, and the rationale for that accounting policy.

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Disclosure of accounting policy for determining an entity's fiscal year or other fiscal period. This disclosure may include identification of the fiscal period end-date, the length of the fiscal period, any reporting period lag between the entity and its subsidiaries, or equity investees. If a reporting lag exists, the closing date of the entity having a different period end is generally noted, along with an explanation of the necessity for using different closing dates. Any intervening events that materially affect the entity's financial position or results of operations are generally also disclosed.

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