8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 10, 2003

SMITHFIELD FOODS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Virginia	1-15321	52-0845861
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

200 Commerce Street Smithfield, Virginia	23430
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (757) 365-3000

Item 12. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

Smithfield Foods, Inc. (the “Registrant”) hereby furnishes this report pursuant to Item 12 of Form 8-K:

On November 10, 2003, the Registrant issued a press release announcing the Registrant’s expectations with respect to earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2004, which ended October 26, 2003. The information contained in the press release, which is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this report, is incorporated herein by reference.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	SMITHFIELD FOODS, INC.
Date: November 12, 2003	/s/ DANIEL G. STEVENS
	Daniel G. Stevens Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit 99.1 Press release, dated as of November 10, 2003, announcing the Registrant’s expectations with respect to earnings for the second quarter of fiscal 2004, which ended October 26, 2003.

EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

Smithfield Foods Comments on Second Quarter Earnings

Smithfield, Virginia (November 10, 2003)—Smithfield Foods, Inc. (NYSE: SFD) said today that the company expects earnings for its fiscal second quarter, ended October 26, to approximate $.33 per share, versus $.04 per share a year ago.

Smithfield expects that earnings per share from continuing operations, excluding Schneider Corporation results, will be $.29 per share, compared to breakeven results last year. On September 25, Smithfield announced a definitive agreement to sell its wholly-owned Canadian subsidiary, Schneider Corporation, to Maple Leaf Foods, Inc. The sale, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to close before the end of the company’s fiscal year.

The company attributed the favorable results to sharply-improved hog production results and dramatically higher beef margins that more than offset somewhat lower fresh pork and processed meats margins due to higher raw material prices.

The acquisition of Farmland Foods pork processing and hog production assets was completed on October 28 and will be reflected in Smithfield’s third quarter results. The acquisition of Farmland Foods, net of the disposition of Schneider, is expected to be immediately accretive to earnings.

Smithfield will report second quarter earnings on November 20.

With annualized sales of $9 billion, Smithfield Foods is the leading processor and marketer of fresh pork and processed meats in the United States, as well as the largest producer of hogs. For more information, please visit www.smithfieldfoods.com.

This news release may contain “forward-looking” information within the meaning of the federal securities laws. The forward-looking information may include statements concerning the company’s outlook for the future, as well as other statements of beliefs, future plans and strategies or anticipated events, and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. The forward-looking information and statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, the statements. These risks and uncertainties include availability and prices of livestock, raw materials and supplies, livestock costs, livestock disease, food safety, product pricing, the competitive environment and related market conditions, ability to make and successfully integrate acquisitions, operating efficiencies, access to capital, the cost of compliance with environmental and health standards, adverse results from ongoing litigation and actions and approvals of domestic and foreign governments.

Contact: Jerry Hostetter, (212) 758-2100

Smithfield Foods, Inc.