Information regarding our operations in different segments - Sales by Product (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018
Segment reporting information
Net sales	$ 359,332	$ 296,419	$ 903,601	$ 808,752
Fresh products [Member]
Segment reporting information
Net sales	206,989	149,834	474,779	410,554
Calavo Foods [Member]
Segment reporting information
Net sales	24,832	25,340	68,258	66,290
RFG [Member]
Segment reporting information
Net sales	127,511	121,245	360,564	331,908
Operating segments
Segment reporting information
Less sales incentives	(4,032)	(4,518)	(10,517)	(12,754)
Net sales	365,069	302,146	918,578	825,027
Operating segments \| Avocados [Member]
Segment reporting information
Net sales	196,047	141,545	435,125	378,217
Operating segments \| Tomatoes [Member]
Segment reporting information
Net sales	8,708	6,248	34,616	26,295
Operating segments \| Papayas [Member]
Segment reporting information
Net sales	3,105	2,882	7,853	8,539
Operating segments \| Other fresh products [Member]
Segment reporting information
Net sales	424	142	615	246
Operating segments \| Prepared avocado products [Member]
Segment reporting information
Net sales	27,427	28,395	75,310	75,433
Operating segments \| Salsa [Member]
Segment reporting information
Net sales	930	1,010	2,452	2,615
Operating segments \| Fresh-cut fruit & veg. and prepared foods [Member]
Segment reporting information
Net sales	128,428	121,924	362,607	333,682
Operating segments \| Fresh products [Member]
Segment reporting information
Less sales incentives	(554)	(600)	(1,623)	(1,692)
Net sales	208,284	150,817	478,209	413,297
Operating segments \| Fresh products [Member] \| Avocados [Member]
Segment reporting information
Net sales	196,047	141,545	435,125	378,217
Operating segments \| Fresh products [Member] \| Tomatoes [Member]
Segment reporting information
Net sales	8,708	6,248	34,616	26,295
Operating segments \| Fresh products [Member] \| Papayas [Member]
Segment reporting information
Net sales	3,105	2,882	7,853	8,539
Operating segments \| Fresh products [Member] \| Other fresh products [Member]
Segment reporting information
Net sales	424	142	615	246
Operating segments \| Calavo Foods [Member]
Segment reporting information
Less sales incentives	(2,561)	(3,239)	(6,851)	(9,288)
Net sales	28,357	29,405	77,762	78,048
Operating segments \| Calavo Foods [Member] \| Prepared avocado products [Member]
Segment reporting information
Net sales	27,427	28,395	75,310	75,433
Operating segments \| Calavo Foods [Member] \| Salsa [Member]
Segment reporting information
Net sales	930	1,010	2,452	2,615
Operating segments \| RFG [Member]
Segment reporting information
Less sales incentives	(917)	(679)	(2,043)	(1,774)
Net sales	128,428	121,924	362,607	333,682
Operating segments \| RFG [Member] \| Fresh-cut fruit & veg. and prepared foods [Member]
Segment reporting information
Net sales	128,428	121,924	362,607	333,682
Intercompany eliminations
Segment reporting information
Net sales	(1,705)	(1,209)	(4,460)	(3,521)
Intercompany eliminations \| Fresh products [Member]
Segment reporting information
Net sales	(741)	(383)	(1,807)	(1,051)
Intercompany eliminations \| Calavo Foods [Member]
Segment reporting information
Net sales	$ (964)	$ (826)	$ (2,653)	$ (2,470)