Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 341,572	$ 261,699	$ 152,368
Accounts receivable, net	351,655	390,790	406,541
Advances to suppliers, net	118,380	135,317	94,732
Accounts receivable - unconsolidated affiliates	5,673	7,370	912
Inventories - at lower of cost or market:
Tobacco	742,895	682,095	862,991
Other	60,067	53,197	57,261
Prepaid income taxes	15,734	20,819	13,661
Deferred income taxes	36,591	51,025	52,766
Other current assets	68,999	88,317	71,121
Total current assets	1,741,566	1,690,629	1,712,353
Property, plant and equipment
Land	17,151	17,087	16,976
Buildings	232,780	228,982	225,010
Machinery and equipment	553,383	537,031	531,183
Total property, plant and equipment	803,314	783,100	773,169
Less accumulated depreciation	(509,913)	(479,908)	(469,414)
Property, plant and equipment, net	293,401	303,192	303,755
Other assets
Goodwill and other intangibles	99,118	99,266	99,293
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	92,775	93,312	84,306
Deferred income taxes	21,227	23,634	13,683
Other noncurrent assets	52,638	56,886	56,249
Total other assets	265,758	273,098	253,531
Total assets	2,300,725	2,266,919	2,269,639
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Notes payable and overdrafts	87,423	128,016	130,165
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	164,831	187,790	199,408
Accounts payable - unconsolidated affiliates	54	295	7,207
Customer advances and deposits	60,537	16,832	45,061
Accrued compensation	25,870	30,659	20,638
Income taxes payable	18,727	12,866	12,085
Current portion of long-term obligations	210,000	16,250	15,000
Total current liabilities	567,442	392,708	429,564
Long-term obligations	185,000	392,500	395,000
Pensions and other postretirement benefits	139,105	140,529	95,656
Other long-term liabilities	86,938	90,609	87,147
Deferred income taxes	45,791	44,583	50,941
Total liabilities	1,024,276	1,060,929	1,058,308
Shareholders' equity
Common stock, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 23,324,880 shares issued and outstanding (23,245,254 at December 31, 2011, and 23,257,175 at March 31, 2012)	197,805	196,135	194,806
Retained earnings	910,454	854,654	844,150
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(73,305)	(80,361)	(58,880)
Total Universal Corporation shareholders' equity	1,247,977	1,183,451	1,193,099
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	28,472	22,539	18,232
Total shareholders' equity	1,276,449	1,205,990	1,211,331
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,300,725	2,266,919	2,269,639
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock [Member]
Shareholders' equity
Preferred Stock	0	0	0
Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]
Shareholders' equity
Preferred Stock	$ 213,023	$ 213,023	$ 213,023