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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-08-058389.txt : 20081027
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-08-058389.hdr.sgml : 20081027
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20081027162727
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-08-058389
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081023
FILED AS OF DATE:		20081027
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20081027

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:			0427

	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:			FRIBOURG PAUL J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001070938

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-15321
		FILM NUMBER:		081142614

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		277 PARK AVE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10172
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2122072800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		667 MADISON AVE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10021
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd221601.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4: SHARES FROM FIVE RIVERS
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-10-23</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000091388</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>SMITHFIELD FOODS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>SFD</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001070938</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FRIBOURG PAUL J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O 200 COMMERCE STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SMITHFIELD</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>VA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>23430</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common stock, par value $.50</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-10-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2166667</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>30.00</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12523252</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>see footnote 2 below</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common stock, par value $.50</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>78556</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common stock, par value $.50</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>73300</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>see footnote 3 below</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The securities were received by Continental Grain Company (CGC) in consideration for the fifty percent interest in Five Rivers Ranch Cattle Feeding LLC (Five Rivers) owned by CGC pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated March 4, 2008, as amended (the Purchase Agreement), by and among CGC, ContiBeef LLC, Smithfield Foods, Inc. and MF Cattle Feeding, Inc.  In negotiations leading to the execution of the Purchase Agreement, the parties agreed that (i) CGC's interest in Five Rivers had a value of $65 million and (ii) the Smithfield Foods common stock exchanged for the interest in Five Rivers would be valued at $30.00 per share.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The shares listed as indirectly owned on this line are shares owned directly by CGC. The Reporting Person may be deemed to share voting and investment power with respect to the shares of common stock owned directly by CGC by virtue of being the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of CGC. In addition, the Reporting Person is one of the co-trustees and in one case, a beneficiary, of various trusts established for the benefit of certain members of the Reporting Person?s family that collectively control a majority interest in CGC. The Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership with respect to all of these shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The shares listed as indirectly owned on this line are owned directly by Arlon Opportunities Investors LP (AOI).  CGC is the managing member of the general partner of AOI.   CGC directly and through one of its subsidiaries holds a majority interest in AOI.  The Reporting Person may be deemed to share voting and investment power with respect to the shares of common stock owned directly by AOI by virtue of being the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of CGC.  In addition, the Reporting Person is one of the co-trustees and in one case, the beneficiary, of various trusts established for the benefit of certain members of the Reporting Person's family that collectively control a majority interest in CGC.  The Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership with respect to all of these shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Michael H. Cole, as Attorney- in- Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-10-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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