SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	6 Months Ended
Oct. 27, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation Organization Smithfield Foods, Inc., together with its subsidiaries ("Smithfield," "the Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”), is the largest hog producer and pork processor in the world. We produce and market a wide variety of fresh meat and packaged meats products both domestically and internationally. We conduct our operations through four reportable segments: Pork, Hog Production, International and Corporate, each of which is comprised of a number of subsidiaries, joint ventures and other investments. On September 26, 2013 (the Merger Date), pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated May 28, 2013 (the Merger Agreement) with Shuanghui International Holdings Limited, a corporation formed under the laws of the Cayman Islands (Shuanghui), the Company merged with Sun Merger Sub, Inc., a Virginia corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Shuanghui (the Merger Sub), in a transaction hereinafter referred to as the Merger. As a result of the Merger, the Company survived as a wholly owned subsidiary of Shuanghui. See Note 2—Merger and Acquisition for further information on the Merger. Basis of Presentation The Merger was accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification 805, Business Combinations. Shuanghui's cost of acquiring the Company has been pushed-down to establish a new accounting basis for the Company. Accordingly, the interim consolidated condensed financial statements are presented for two periods, Predecessor and Successor, which relate to the accounting periods preceding and succeeding the completion of the Merger. The Predecessor and Successor periods have been separated by a vertical line on the face of the consolidated financial statements to highlight the fact that the financial information for such periods has been prepared under two different historical-cost bases of accounting. Successor—The consolidated financial statements as of October 27, 2013, and for the period from September 27, 2013 through October 27, 2013, include the accounts of the Company subsequent to the closing of the Merger on September 26, 2013. Predecessor—The consolidated condensed financial statements of the Company prior to the Merger on September 26, 2013. The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. You should read these statements in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 28, 2013. The information reflects all normal recurring adjustments which we believe are necessary to present fairly the financial position and results of operations for all periods included. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In July 2013, FASB issued guidance on the financial statement presentation of certain unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss or tax credit carryforward exists. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2013. The guidance is not currently effective for us and has not been applied in this Form 10-Q.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

Organization

Smithfield Foods, Inc., together with its subsidiaries ("Smithfield," "the Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”), is the largest hog producer and pork processor in the world. We produce and market a wide variety of fresh meat and packaged meats products both domestically and internationally. We conduct our operations through four reportable segments: Pork, Hog Production, International and Corporate, each of which is comprised of a number of subsidiaries, joint ventures and other investments.

On September 26, 2013 (the Merger Date), pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated May 28, 2013 (the Merger Agreement) with Shuanghui International Holdings Limited, a corporation formed under the laws of the Cayman Islands (Shuanghui), the Company merged with Sun Merger Sub, Inc., a Virginia corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Shuanghui (the Merger Sub), in a transaction hereinafter referred to as the Merger. As a result of the Merger, the Company survived as a wholly owned subsidiary of Shuanghui. See Note 2—Merger and Acquisition for further information on the Merger.

Basis of Presentation

The Merger was accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification 805, Business Combinations. Shuanghui's cost of acquiring the Company has been pushed-down to establish a new accounting basis for the Company. Accordingly, the interim consolidated condensed financial statements are presented for two periods, Predecessor and Successor, which relate to the accounting periods preceding and succeeding the completion of the Merger. The Predecessor and Successor periods have been separated by a vertical line on the face of the consolidated financial statements to highlight the fact that the financial information for such periods has been prepared under two different historical-cost bases of accounting.

Successor—The consolidated financial statements as of October 27, 2013, and for the period from September 27, 2013 through October 27, 2013, include the accounts of the Company subsequent to the closing of the Merger on September 26, 2013.

Predecessor—The consolidated condensed financial statements of the Company prior to the Merger on September 26, 2013.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. You should read these statements in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 28, 2013. The information reflects all normal recurring adjustments which we believe are necessary to present fairly the financial position and results of operations for all periods included.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In July 2013, FASB issued guidance on the financial statement presentation of certain unrecognized tax benefits when a net operating loss carryforward, similar tax loss or tax credit carryforward exists. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2013. The guidance is not currently effective for us and has not been applied in this Form 10-Q.