8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

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

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 28, 2006

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

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d- 2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Section 2 – Financial Information

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On April 28, 2006, the Registrant issued a press release announcing its expectations with respect to earnings for fiscal 2006, which ends April 30, 2006. The information contained in the press release, which is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this report, is incorporated herein by reference.

Section 9 – Financial Statements and Exhibits

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d) Press release, dated as of April 28, 2006, announcing the Registrant’s expectations with respect to earnings for fiscal 2006, which ends April 30, 2006.

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: April 28, 2006	/s/ Daniel G. Stevens
	Daniel G. Stevens Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit 99.1 Press release, dated as of April 28, 2006, announcing the Registrant’s expectations with respect to earnings for fiscal 2006, which ends April 30, 2006.

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Jerry Hostetter

Smithfield Foods, Inc.

(212) 758-2100

jerryhostetter@smithfieldfoods.com

Smithfield Comments On Fourth Quarter Earnings

Smithfield, Virginia (April 28, 2006)—Smithfield Foods, Inc. (NYSE: SFD) said today that it expects to announce fiscal 2006 fourth quarter earnings per diluted share in the range of zero to $.10 for the period ended April 30, compared to $.76 per diluted share in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005. Net income is expected to be in the range of zero to $12 million, compared to $85.4 million in last year’s fourth quarter.

Pork margins weakened significantly in the quarter as a result of the protein oversupply in the United States marketplace. In turn, these unsatisfactory conditions depressed live hog prices during the quarter. Hog market prices have averaged $41.60 in this year’s fourth quarter compared to $50.80 last year. Near the end of the quarter, however, hog prices and hog futures have rebounded on expectations of improved fundamentals in the pork sector.

Smithfield plans to report earnings on June 8.

Smithfield Foods has delivered a 25 percent average annual compounded rate of return to investors since 1975. With sales of $11 billion, Smithfield 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, 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, product pricing, the competitive environment and related market conditions, operating efficiencies, access to capital, the cost of compliance with environmental and health standards, adverse results from ongoing litigation and actions of domestic and foreign governments.

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