Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified				6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member] Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Sep. 30, 2012 Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member] Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Sep. 30, 2013 Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contract [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contract [Member]		Sep. 30, 2013 Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member]		Sep. 30, 2013 Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]		Sep. 30, 2012 Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Foreign currency translation: [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year				$ (15,555)	$ (11,850)
Net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation, net of income taxes				5,582	(2,962)	(337)	191
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes				5,919	(3,153)
Balance at end of period				(9,636)	(15,003)
Cash flow hedges: [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year								(855)		(942)		(1,091)		(727)
Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of income taxes								(631)		(5,950)		(112)		(945)
Reclassifications to earnings, net of income taxes								1,596	[1]	3,906	[1]	443	[2]	296	[2]
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes								965		(2,044)		331		(649)
Balance at end of period								110		(2,986)		(760)		(1,376)
Pension and other postretirement benefit plan: [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year																(58,039)		(66,842)
Gains arising during period, net of income taxes																10,400	[3]	0	[3]
Prior service credit arising during the period, net of income taxes																12,646	[3]	0	[3]
Amortization included in earnings, net of income taxes																2,774	[4]	4,294	[4]
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes																25,820		4,294
Balance at end of period																(32,219)		(62,548)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Taxes on net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation				3,007	(1,595)
Taxes on net gain (loss) on derivative instruments								(339)		(3,203)		(60)		(509)
Taxes on reclassifications to net income								(859)		(2,103)		(238)		(159)
Taxes on losses (gains) arising during the period																(5,600)		0
Taxes on prior service credit arising during the period																(6,809)		0
Taxes on amortization included in net income																(1,493)		(2,312)
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at end of period	$ (42,505)	$ (75,540)	$ (81,913)

[1] Gain (loss) on foreign currency cash flow hedges is reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to cost of goods sold when the related tobacco is sold to customers. See Note 7 for additional information.

[2] Gain (loss) on interest rate cash flow hedges is reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to interest expense when the related interest payments are made on the debt. See Note 7 for additional information.

[3] The Company remeasured the assets and liabilities of its U.S. pension plans during the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to reflect the impact of the plan amendments adopted during the quarter. These items arise from the plan remeasurement. See Note 9 for additional information.

[4] This accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 9 for additional information.