Comprehensive Income and Shareholders Equity (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		21 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2011
Components of Shareholders Equity [Abstract]
Beginning Balance			$ 1,355,432
Net income	64,974	67,759	156,662	138,822
Other comprehensive income (loss):			451
Comprehensive income, attributable to Greif, Inc.			157,113
Noncontrolling interests and other	24,700		24,677
Foreign currency translation on noncontrolling interests			6,556
Cash dividends paid	(24,566)	(24,507)	(73,396)	(68,607)
Stock options exercised			2,161
Tax benefit of stock options			77
Treasury shared acquired			3,060		(5,800)
Restricted stock directors			720
Restricted stock executives, value			318
Long-term incentive shares issued			2,432
Ending Balance	1,473,030		1,473,030		1,473,030
Capital Stock [Member]
Components of Shareholders Equity [Abstract]
Beginning Balance			106,057
Beginning Balance, shares			47,169
Stock options exercised			1,866
Stock options exercised, shares			144
Tax benefit of stock options			77
Treasury shared acquired, shares			(50)
Restricted stock directors			697
Restricted stock directors, shares			11
Restricted stock executives, shares			5
Restricted stock executives, value			308
Long-term incentive shares issued			2,349
Long-term incentive shares issued, shares			40
Ending Balance	111,354		111,354		111,354
Ending Balance, shares	47,194		47,194		47,194
Treasury Stock [Member]
Components of Shareholders Equity [Abstract]
Beginning Balance			(117,394)
Beginning Balance, shares			29,673
Stock options exercised			295
Stock options exercised, shares			(144)
Treasury shared acquired			3,060
Treasury shared acquired, shares			50
Restricted stock directors			23
Restricted stock directors, shares			(11)
Restricted stock executives, shares			(5)
Restricted stock executives, value			10
Long-term incentive shares issued			83
Long-term incentive shares issued, shares			(40)
Ending Balance	(120,043)		(120,043)		(120,043)
Ending Balance, shares	29,523		29,523		29,523
Retained Earnings [Member]
Components of Shareholders Equity [Abstract]
Beginning Balance			1,323,477
Net income			155,265
Cash dividends paid			(73,396)
Ending Balance	1,405,346		1,405,346		1,405,346
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Components of Shareholders Equity [Abstract]
Beginning Balance			76,711
Net income			1,397
Noncontrolling interests and other			24,677
Foreign currency translation on noncontrolling interests			6,556
Ending Balance	109,341		109,341		109,341
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Components of Shareholders Equity [Abstract]
Beginning Balance			(33,419)
Other comprehensive income (loss):			451
Ending Balance	$ (32,968)		$ (32,968)		$ (32,968)