Consolidated Statements Of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	$ 2,461,699	$ 2,446,877	$ 2,571,527
Costs and expenses
Cost of goods sold	1,999,282	1,974,885	2,063,194
Selling, general and administrative expenses	235,295	251,639	259,042
Other income	0	(20,703)	(19,368)
Restructuring and impairment costs	4,113	11,661	21,504
Charge for (reversal of) European Commission fines in Italy and Spain	0	49,091	(7,445)
Operating income	223,009	180,304	254,600
Equity in pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	5,635	3,195	8,634
Interest income	654	1,314	2,723
Interest expense	22,013	22,835	23,058
Income before income taxes and other items	207,285	161,978	242,899
Income taxes	66,366	61,159	78,349
Net income	140,919	100,819	164,550
Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	(8,169)	(8,762)	(7,985)
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	132,750	92,057	156,565
Dividends on Universal Corporation convertible perpetual preferred stock	(14,850)	(14,850)	(14,850)
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders	$ 117,900	$ 77,207	$ 141,715
Earnings per share attributable to Universal Corporation common shareholders:
Basic	$ 5.05	$ 3.32	$ 5.94
Diluted	$ 4.66	$ 3.25	$ 5.42
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	23,355	23,228	23,859
Diluted	28,478	28,339	28,888