STATEMENTS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	$ 1,714,750	$ 1,904,592	$ 2,066,865
Cost of goods and services sold	1,497,721	1,678,798	1,823,366
Gross profit	217,029	225,794	243,499
Selling, general and administrative expenses	135,982	123,546	137,020
Other income (expense)	4,896	105,427	(66)
Restructuring and asset impairment charges	1,375	5,888	9,118
Operating income	84,568	201,787	97,295
Debt retirement expense (income)	(300)	0	(771)
Interest expense	132,667	117,190	113,273
Interest income	8,157	7,077	6,268
Income (loss) before income taxes and other items	(39,642)	91,674	(8,939)
Income tax expense	23,480	32,215	21,918
Equity in net income (loss) of investee companies	(149)	5,986	2,823
Net income (loss)	(63,271)	65,445	(28,034)
Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	(343)	(87)	(172)
Net income (loss) attributable to Alliance One International, Inc.	$ (62,928)	$ 65,532	$ (27,862)
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (7.05)	$ 7.38	$ (3.16)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (7.05)	$ 7.38	$ (3.16)