Operating Segments (Operating Results For The Company's Reportable Segments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and other operating revenues	$ 680,029		$ 672,420		$ 1,816,607		$ 1,792,911
Deduct: Equity in pretax (earnings) loss of unconsolidated affiliates	1,241	[1]	(1,072)	[1]	192	[1]	2,264	[1]
Restructuring costs	0	[2]	(399)	[2]	(3,687)	[2]	(10,220)	[2]
Charge for European Commission fine in Italy	0	[2]	0	[2]	0	[2]	(49,091)	[2]
Add: Other income	0	[2]	11,111	[2]	0	[2]	20,703	[2]
Consolidated operating income	64,513		93,070		182,427		138,296
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Consolidated operating income	63,272		83,430		185,922		174,640
Flue-Cured And Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and other operating revenues	637,424		639,219		1,666,794		1,659,376
Consolidated operating income	64,527		82,616		177,832		170,596
Other Tobacco Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and other operating revenues	42,605	[3]	33,201	[3]	149,813	[3]	133,535	[3]
Consolidated operating income	(1,255)	[3]	814	[3]	8,090	[3]	4,044	[3]
North America [Member] | Flue-Cured And Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and other operating revenues	85,521		109,743		205,377		236,101
Consolidated operating income	5,235		13,234		9,764		23,864
Other Regions [Member] | Flue-Cured And Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and other operating revenues	551,903	[4]	529,476	[4]	1,461,417	[4]	1,423,275	[4]
Consolidated operating income	$ 59,292	[4]	$ 69,382	[4]	$ 168,068	[4]	$ 146,732	[4]

[1] Item is included in segment operating income, but is not included in consolidated operating income.

[2] Item is not included in segment operating income, but is included in consolidated operating income.

[3] Includes Dark Air-Cured, Special Services, and Oriental, as well as inter-company eliminations. Sales and other operating revenues for this reportable segment include limited amounts for Oriental because its financial results consist principally of equity in the pretax earnings of an unconsolidated affiliate.

[4] Includes South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia regions, as well as inter-region eliminations.