Information Regarding Our Operations in Different Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales	$ 156,240	$ 167,865	$ 417,635	$ 382,702
Less sales incentives	(3,059)	(2,724)	(8,068)	(7,522)
Net sales	153,181	165,141	409,567	375,180
Avocados [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales	91,898	121,210	232,976	281,503
Tomatoes [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales	280	3,782	11,426	23,894
Papayas [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales	2,853	3,249	9,488	9,637
Pineapples [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales	1,849	1,112	5,066	1,706
Other Fresh Products [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales	164	878	1,357	2,384
Food service [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales	9,877	10,040	27,199	27,830
Retail and club [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales	49,319	27,594	130,123	35,748
Fresh products [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales	97,044	130,231	260,313	319,124
Less sales incentives	(304)	(196)	(705)	(783)
Net sales	96,740	130,035	259,608	318,341
Fresh products [Member] \| Avocados [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales	91,898	121,210	232,976	281,503
Fresh products [Member] \| Tomatoes [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales	280	3,782	11,426	23,894
Fresh products [Member] \| Papayas [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales	2,853	3,249	9,488	9,637
Fresh products [Member] \| Pineapples [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales	1,849	1,112	5,066	1,706
Fresh products [Member] \| Other Fresh Products [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales	164	878	1,357	2,384
Fresh products [Member] \| Food service [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales
Fresh products [Member] \| Retail and club [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales
Calavo Foods [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales	15,122	14,792	42,211	40,736
Less sales incentives	(2,755)	(2,528)	(7,363)	(6,739)
Net sales	12,367	12,264	34,848	33,997
Calavo Foods [Member] \| Avocados [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales
Calavo Foods [Member] \| Tomatoes [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales
Calavo Foods [Member] \| Papayas [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales
Calavo Foods [Member] \| Pineapples [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales
Calavo Foods [Member] \| Other Fresh Products [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales
Calavo Foods [Member] \| Food service [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales	9,877	10,040	27,199	27,830
Calavo Foods [Member] \| Retail and club [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales	5,245	4,752	15,012	12,906
Renaissance Food Group, LLC (RFG) [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales	44,074	22,842	115,111	22,842
Less sales incentives
Net sales	44,074	22,842	115,111	22,842
Renaissance Food Group, LLC (RFG) [Member] \| Avocados [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales
Renaissance Food Group, LLC (RFG) [Member] \| Tomatoes [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales
Renaissance Food Group, LLC (RFG) [Member] \| Papayas [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales
Renaissance Food Group, LLC (RFG) [Member] \| Pineapples [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales
Renaissance Food Group, LLC (RFG) [Member] \| Other Fresh Products [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales
Renaissance Food Group, LLC (RFG) [Member] \| Food service [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales
Renaissance Food Group, LLC (RFG) [Member] \| Retail and club [Member]
Sales by product category, by segment
Total gross sales	$ 44,074	$ 22,842	$ 115,111	$ 22,842