Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 74,631	$ 367,864	$ 115,690
Accounts receivable, net	365,777	401,747	352,745
Advances to suppliers, net	62,013	132,100	80,946
Accounts receivable - unconsolidated affiliates	70,175	555	69,872
Inventories - at lower of cost or market:
Tobacco	1,037,320	623,377	901,154
Other	80,651	57,745	70,099
Prepaid income taxes	28,004	6,245	16,889
Deferred income taxes	30,751	32,127	43,986
Other current assets	130,721	124,213	72,100
Total current assets	1,880,043	1,745,973	1,723,481
Property, plant and equipment
Land	17,231	17,125	17,098
Buildings	237,923	234,694	230,898
Machinery and equipment	563,615	545,478	548,953
Total property, plant and equipment	818,769	797,297	796,949
Less: accumulated depreciation	(530,038)	(509,829)	(498,470)
Property, plant and equipment, net	288,731	287,468	298,479
Other assets
Goodwill and other intangibles	99,648	99,048	99,145
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	99,362	94,405	91,024
Deferred income taxes	28,026	23,783	21,808
Other noncurrent assets	87,748	55,478	51,262
Total other assets	314,784	272,714	263,239
Total assets	2,483,558	2,306,155	2,285,199
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Notes payable and overdrafts	194,266	105,318	93,646
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	222,226	225,648	187,957
Accounts payable - unconsolidated affiliates	8	4,739	233
Customer advances and deposits	92,871	24,914	47,809
Accrued compensation	22,152	36,694	23,654
Income taxes payable	14,694	14,034	15,869
Current portion of long-term obligations	213,750	211,250	8,750
Total current liabilities	759,967	622,597	377,918
Long-term obligations	173,750	181,250	387,500
Pensions and other postretirement benefits	95,098	135,629	140,085
Other long-term liabilities	35,911	36,838	86,221
Deferred income taxes	59,373	42,184	45,517
Total liabilities	1,124,099	1,018,498	1,037,241
Shareholders' equity
Common stock, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 23,215,946 shares issued and outstanding (23,408,445 at September 30, 2012, and 23,343,973 at March 31, 2013)	202,844	202,579	197,435
Retained earnings	959,242	918,509	895,107
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(42,505)	(75,540)	(81,913)
Total Universal Corporation shareholders' equity	1,332,604	1,258,571	1,223,652
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	26,855	29,086	24,306
Total shareholders' equity	1,359,459	1,287,657	1,247,958
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,483,558	2,306,155	2,285,199
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