Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	$ 576,411	$ 514,531	$ 934,181	$ 876,095
Cost of goods and services sold	489,448	443,281	805,655	748,597
Gross profit	86,963	71,250	128,526	127,498
Selling, general and administrative expenses	35,982	34,402	72,076	69,357
Other income (expense)	(1,157)	891	(1,347)	4,121
Restructuring and asset impairment charges	0	747	0	1,516
Operating income	49,824	36,992	55,103	60,746
Interest expense	29,776	27,027	56,891	52,803
Interest income	1,121	1,286	2,119	2,777
Income before income taxes and other items	21,169	11,251	331	10,720
Income tax expense	3,901	16,275	13,140	14,394
Equity in net loss of investee companies	1,045	1,173	850	1,173
Net income (loss)	18,313	(3,851)	(11,959)	(2,501)
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(55)	(130)	416	(101)
Net income (loss) attributable to Alliance One International, Inc.	$ 18,368	$ (3,721)	$ (12,375)	$ (2,400)
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic (usd per share)	$ 0.21	$ (0.04)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.03)
Diluted (usd per share)	$ 0.18	$ (0.04)	$ (0.14)	$ (0.03)
Weighted average number of shares outstanding [Abstract]
Basic (in shares)	87,367	86,968	87,280	86,891
Diluted (in shares)	110,545	86,968	87,280	86,891