Document and Entity Information (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Nov. 30, 2011
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	SMUCKER J M CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000091419
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Oct. 31, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--04-30
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float	$ 8,200,188,003
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		113,366,950