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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Vlvb5e8H93s5BhjgsSj+waK6tyBij2yHBpJe7c/o7wUuR4GfvK3X2oUZlcLML6mw
 reDavrn2Ca6orxIIjXuX/g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001123292-03-000348.txt : 20030903
<SEC-HEADER>0001123292-03-000348.hdr.sgml : 20030903
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030903110437
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001123292-03-000348
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030721
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030903

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SMITHFIELD FOODS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000091388
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MEAT PACKING PLANTS [2011]
		IRS NUMBER:				520845861
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			VA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0430

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 COMMERCE STREET
		STREET 2:		EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
		CITY:			SMITHFIELD
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23430
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7573653000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 COMMERCE STREET
		STREET 2:		EXECUTIVE OFFICE BUILDING
		CITY:			SMITHFIELD
		STATE:			VA
		ZIP:			23430

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	LIBERTY EQUITIES CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19710221

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	LIBERTY REAL ESTATE TRUST
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19661113

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MURPHY WENDELL H
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000904450

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-15321
		FILM NUMBER:		03877775

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P.O. BOX 1087
		CITY:			ROSE HILL
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			28458
		BUSINESS PHONE:		910 289 6439

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PO BOX 1087
		CITY:			ROSE HILL
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			28458
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType><periodOfReport>2003-07-21</periodOfReport>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000091388</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SMITHFIELD FOODS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SFD</issuerTradingSymbol></issuer><reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0000904450</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MURPHY WENDELL H</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>P.O. BOX 1087</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ROSE HILL</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>28458</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector><isOfficer>0</isOfficer><isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner><isOther>0</isOther></reportingOwnerRelationship></reportingOwner><nonDerivativeTable><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-07-21</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>J</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved><footnoteId id="F6"/></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>272105</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><footnoteId id="F6"/></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>277602</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>By limited l
iability company</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-07-21</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>J</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved><footnoteId id="F6"/></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>272105</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><footnoteId id="F6"/></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>5497</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>By limited liability company</value><footnoteId id="F1"/></natureOfOwnership></o
wnershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-07-21</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>J</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved><footnoteId id="F6"/></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>742500</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><footnoteId id="F6"/></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>757500</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>By limited liability company</value><footnoteId id="F2"/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeTransactio
n><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-07-21</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>J</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved><footnoteId id="F6"/></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>742500</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><footnoteId id="F6"/></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>15000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>By limited liability company</value><footnoteId id="F2"/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></securityTitle><transa
ctionDate><value>2003-07-21</value></transactionDate><transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>J</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved><footnoteId id="F6"/></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>742500</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><footnoteId id="F6"/></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>757500</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>By limited liability company</value><footnoteId id="F3"/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></securityTitle><transactionDate><value>2003-07-21</value></transactionDate><transactionC
oding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType><transactionCode>J</transactionCode><equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved><footnoteId id="F6"/></transactionCoding><transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>742500</value></transactionShares><transactionPricePerShare><footnoteId id="F6"/></transactionPricePerShare><transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>D</value></transactionAcquiredDisposedCode></transactionAmounts><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>15000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>By limited liability company</value><footnoteId id="F3"/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeTransaction><nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></securityTitle><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>4000</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershi
pNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>By spouse</value></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeHolding><nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></securityTitle><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>1427925</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value><footnoteId id="F7"/></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeHolding><nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></securityTitle><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>208</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>By limited liability company</value><footnoteId id="F4"/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></
nonDerivativeHolding><nonDerivativeHolding><securityTitle><value>Common Stock</value></securityTitle><postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>3</value></sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction></postTransactionAmounts><ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>I</value></directOrIndirectOwnership><natureOfOwnership><value>By corporation</value><footnoteId id="F5"/></natureOfOwnership></ownershipNature></nonDerivativeHolding></nonDerivativeTable><footnotes><footnote id="F1">These shares are owned by WHM-Sr. Legacy, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (&quot;Sr. LLC&quot;), which is wholly owned by the reporting person.  </footnote><footnote id="F2">These shares are owned by WHM, Jr. Legacy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company which is wholly owned by Sr. LLC (&quot;Jr. LLC&quot;).  Sr. LLC is wholly owned by the reporting person.  </footnote><footnote id="F3">These shares are owned by WMC Legacy, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company which is wholly owned by Sr. LLC (&quo
t;WMC LLC&quot;).  Sr. LLC is wholly owned by the reporting person.  </footnote><footnote id="F4">These shares are owned by MurFam Enterprises, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company (&quot;MurFam&quot;), in which the reporting person owns a membership interest.  The reporting person disclaims beneficial ownership of these shares except to the extent of the reporting person's pecuniary interest in MurFam.  This report shall not be deemed an admission for purposes of Section 16 or for any other purpose that the reporting person is the beneficial owner of the shares owned by MurFam other than those shares represented by the reporting person's pecuniary interest in MurFam.</footnote><footnote id="F5">These shares are owned by WMNCS, INC., a Delaware corporation, which is wholly owned by the reporting person.</footnote><footnote id="F6">On July 21, 2003, the reporting person transferred 100% of the Class B limited liability company interests of Sr. LLC, which represent 99% of the reporting person's pecu
niary interest in the shares held by Sr. LLC, Jr. LLC, and WMC LLC.  At the time of the transfer, the shares held by Sr. LLC represented approximately 92% of the total assets held by Sr. LLC. The Sr. LLC Class B interests were transferred in two transactions (each transaction for 50% of the Class B interests) to a trust in exchange for two promissory notes each in the amount of $21,532,500.  The reporting person retains all of the Class A limited liability company interests in Sr. LLC, which give the reporting person voting and dispositive power over the shares.  </footnote><footnote id="F7">The number of shares reported as directly beneficially owned on the Forms 4 for the dates June 19, 2003 and July 15, 2003 inadvertently did not include 174,762 and 243,154 shares, respectively, that were pledged pursuant to prepaid variable forward contracts entered into by the reported person as reported on those Forms 4.  </footnote></footnotes><remarks>The reporting person may be deemed to be a member of a &quot;group
&quot; with Wendell H. Murphy, Jr., Harry D. Murphy, Wendy Murphy Crumpler, Joyce Murphy Minchew, Stratton K. Murphy, Marc D. Murphy and Angela Norman Brown for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act.</remarks><ownerSignature><signatureName>Sonia Barros (attorney-in-fact)</signatureName><signatureDate>2003-09-03</signatureDate></ownerSignature></ownershipDocument>

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</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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