Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		6 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		$ (106,133)	$ (137,556)	$ (107,037)
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Foreign currency translation:
Balance at beginning of year		(35,135)	(42,923)
Net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation		(2,360)	7,629
Less: Net (gain) loss on foreign currency translation attributable to noncontrolling interests		156	79
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		(2,204)	7,708
Balance at end of period		(37,339)	(35,215)
Accumulated Gain (Loss), Net, Cash Flow Hedge, Parent [Member] | Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contract [Member]
Cash flow hedges: [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year		(414)	(12,226)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), before Reclassification, after Tax		538	571
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), Reclassification, after Tax	[1]	(718)	5,399
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), after Reclassification and Tax		(180)	5,970
Balance at the end of period		(594)	(6,256)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), before Reclassification, Tax		(512)	275
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), Reclassification, Tax		(271)	1,501
Accumulated Gain (Loss), Net, Cash Flow Hedge, Parent [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Cash flow hedges: [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year		(19,480)	(27,402)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), before Reclassification, after Tax		(1,303)	(3,138)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), Reclassification, after Tax	[2]	2,980	2,622
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), after Reclassification and Tax		1,677	(516)
Balance at the end of period		(17,803)	(27,918)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), before Reclassification, Tax		346	835
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cash Flow Hedge, Gain (Loss), Reclassification, Tax		792	697
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans:
Balance at beginning of year		(52,008)	(69,046)
Amortization included in earnings (net of tax expense (benefit) of $(354) and $(381))(3)	[3]	1,611	879
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		1,611	879
Balance at end of period		(50,397)	(68,167)
Taxes on amortization included in net income		$ (354)	$ (381)

[1] Gain (loss) on foreign currency cash flow hedges related to forecast purchases of tobacco and crop input sales is reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to cost of goods sold when the tobacco is sold to customers. See Note 11 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 11 for additional information.

[3] This accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 13 for additional information.