DOCUMENT AND ENTITY INFORMATION	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 03, 2016 shares
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	SMITHFIELD FOODS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000091388
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-01
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jul. 03, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	1,000