Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2011		Mar. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Sep. 30, 2010		Jun. 30, 2010		Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2010
Sales and other operating revenues	$ 780,784		$ 493,888		$ 514,531		$ 361,564		$ 521,713		$ 522,144		$ 559,249		$ 490,956		$ 2,150,767		$ 2,094,062	$ 2,308,299
Gross profit	94,358		65,796		71,250		56,248		66,697		60,637		69,467		80,018		287,652		276,819	396,450
Net income (loss)	19,886		11,806		(3,851)		1,350		(104,041)		(2,001)		20,063		13,831		29,191		(72,148)	79,946
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(211)		52		(130)		29		(378)		(12)		(216)		9		(260)		(597)	779
Net income (loss) attributable to Alliance One International, Inc.	$ 20,097		$ 11,754		$ (3,721)		$ 1,321		$ (103,663)		$ (1,989)		$ 20,279		$ 13,822		$ 29,451		$ (71,551)	$ 79,167
Basic earnings (loss) attributable to Alliance One International, Inc. (1)	$ 0.23	[1]	$ 0.13	[1]	$ (0.04)	[1]	$ 0.02	[1]	$ (1.19)	[1]	$ (0.02)	[1]	$ 0.23	[1]	$ 0.16	[1]	$ 0.34	[1]	$ (0.81)	$ 0.89
Diluted earnings (loss) attributable to Alliance One International, Inc. (1)	$ 0.19	[1]	$ 0.12	[1]	$ (0.04)	[1]	$ 0.02	[1]	$ (1.19)	[1]	$ (0.02)	[1]	$ 0.19	[1]	$ 0.13	[1]	$ 0.30	[1]	$ (0.81)	$ 0.78
Maximum [Member]
Market price	$ 3.85		$ 3.12		$ 3.50		$ 4.14		$ 4.37		$ 4.83		$ 4.15		$ 5.41		$ 4.14		$ 5.41
Minimum [Member]
Market price	$ 2.80		$ 2.26		$ 2.44		$ 2.98		$ 3.49		$ 3.74		$ 3.21		$ 3.56		$ 2.26		$ 3.21

[1] Does not add due to quarterly change in average shares outstanding