Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2020
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		$ (151,132)	$ (100,161)	$ (151,597)
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Foreign currency translation:
Balance at beginning of year		(42,923)	(40,101)
Net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation		2,303	1,937
Less: Net (gain) loss on foreign currency translation attributable to noncontrolling interests		(156)	(123)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		2,147	1,814
Balance at end of period		(40,776)	(38,287)
Accumulated Gain (Loss), Net, Cash Flow Hedge, Parent [Member] | Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contract [Member]
Cash flow hedges: [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year		(12,226)	(376)
Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of income taxes		(601)	3,109
Reclassifications to earnings, net of income taxes	[1]	560	(1,134)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		(41)	1,975
Balance at end of period		(12,267)	1,599
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Taxes on net gain (loss) on derivative instruments		255	(378)
Taxes on reclassifications to net income		(152)	(2)
Accumulated Gain (Loss), Net, Cash Flow Hedge, Parent [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Cash flow hedges: [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year		(27,402)	(934)
Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of income taxes		(2,921)	(7,752)
Reclassifications to earnings, net of income taxes	[2]	1,172	(775)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		(1,749)	(8,527)
Balance at end of period		(29,151)	(9,461)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Taxes on net gain (loss) on derivative instruments		776	2,061
Taxes on reclassifications to net income		(312)	(1)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans:
Balance at beginning of year		(69,046)	(54,280)
Amortization included in earnings (net of tax expense (benefit) of $(193) and $(102) (3)	[3]	108	268
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		108	268
Balance at end of period		(68,938)	(54,012)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Taxes on amortization included in net income		$ (193)	$ (102)

[1] Gain (loss) on foreign currency cash flow hedges related to forecast purchases of tobacco is reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to cost of goods sold when the tobacco is sold to customers. See Note 10 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 underlying debt, or as amortized to interest expense over the period to original maturity for terminated swap agreements. See Note 10 for additional information.

[3] This accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 12 for additional information.