DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION - shares	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 03, 2016	Apr. 28, 2016
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	SMITHFIELD FOODS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000091388
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-03
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Apr. 03, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,000