STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	$ 1,904,592	$ 2,066,865	$ 2,354,536
Cost of goods and services sold	1,678,798	1,823,366	2,128,586
Gross profit	225,794	243,499	225,950
Selling, general and administrative expenses	123,546	137,020	134,086
Other income (expense)	105,427	(66)	18,760
Restructuring and asset impairment charges	5,888	9,118	5,111
Operating income	201,787	97,295	105,513
Debt retirement expense (income)	0	(771)	57,449
Interest expense	117,190	113,273	116,827
Interest income	7,077	6,268	7,068
Income (loss) before income taxes and other items	91,674	(8,939)	(61,695)
Income tax expense	32,215	21,918	41,241
Equity in net income of investee companies	5,986	2,823	60
Net income (loss)	65,445	(28,034)	(102,876)
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(87)	(172)	(343)
Net income (loss) attributable to Alliance One International, Inc.	$ 65,532	$ (27,862)	$ (102,533)
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 7.38	$ (3.16)	$ (11.69)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 7.38	$ (3.16)	$ (11.69)