Segment Information Analysis of Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012 Countries	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of countries, tabacco is purchased in	35
Number of countries, tobacco is shipped to	90
Sales and other operating revenues	$ 357,770	$ 361,564
Operating income	5,279	23,754
Interest expense	27,115	25,776
Interest income	998	1,491
Income (loss) before income taxes and other items	(20,838)	(531)
Assets	2,106,094	1,956,704	1,949,845
South America [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and other operating revenues	178,345	155,845
Operating income	869	14,322
Assets	766,979	740,715	534,169
Value Added Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	151,266	135,969	117,288
Specialty products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and other operating revenues	33,632	36,111
Operating income	1,648	4,385
All Other Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and other operating revenues	145,793	169,608
Operating income	2,762	5,047
Assets	$ 1,187,849	$ 1,080,020	$ 1,298,388