STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	$ 2,065,850		$ 2,354,956		$ 2,243,816
Cost of goods and services sold	1,810,771		2,114,929		1,958,570
Gross profit	255,079		240,027		285,246
Selling, general and administrative expenses	137,020		134,087		145,750
Other income	(1,894)		(18,230)		(20,721)
Restructuring and asset impairment charges (recoveries)	9,118		5,111		(55)
Operating income	110,835		119,059		160,272
Debt retirement expense (income)	(771)		57,449		1,195
Interest expense	113,355		116,798		114,557
Interest income	6,268		7,068		6,547
Income (loss) before income taxes and other items	4,519		(48,120)		51,067
Income tax expense	22,939		38,942		27,992
Equity in net income of investee companies	2,823		60		1,637
Net income (loss)	(15,597)		(87,002)		24,712
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(172)		(343)		699
Net income (loss) attributable to Alliance One International, Inc.	$ (15,425)		$ (86,659)		$ 24,013
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.17)	[1]	$ (0.99)	[1]	$ 0.27
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.17)	[1]	$ (0.99)	[1]	$ 0.25

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