Derivatives And Hedging Activities (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Notional Amount of Forward Contracts

	Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
(in millions)	2013		2012		2011
Tobacco purchases	$	158.9	$	182.5	$	235.2
Processing costs	34.3		48.3		48.5
Total	$	193.2	$	230.8	$	283.7

Effect Of Derivative Financial Instruments On The Consolidated Statements Of Income

	Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
	2013			2012			2011
Fair Value Hedges - Interest Rate Swap Agreements
Derivative
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings	$	—		$	3,195		$	428
Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings	Interest expense
Hedged Item
Description of hedged item	Fixed rate long-term debt
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings	$	—		$	(3,195	)	$	(428	)
Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings	Interest expense
Cash Flow Hedges - Interest Rate Swap Agreements
Derivative
Effective Portion of Hedge
Gain (loss) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(1,470	)	$	(1,119	)	$	—
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings	$	(910	)	$	—		$	—
Location of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings	Interest expense
Ineffective Portion of Hedge
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings	$	—		$	—		$	—
Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings	Selling, general and administrative expenses
Hedged Item
Description of hedged item	Floating rate interest payments on term loan
Cash Flow Hedges - Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
Derivative
Effective Portion of Hedge
Gain (loss) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(8,709	)	$	2,652		$	2,476
Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings	$	(8,741	)	$	5,882		$	100
Location of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings	Cost of goods sold
Ineffective Portion and Early De-designation of Hedges
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings	$	(1,325	)	$	857		$	113
Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings	Selling, general and administrative expenses
Hedged Item
Description of hedged item	Forecast purchases of tobacco in Brazil
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges - Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
Gain (loss) recognized in earnings	$	(3,115	)	$	1,829		$	2,594
Location of gain (loss) recognized in earnings	Selling, general and administrative expenses

Effect Of Derivative Financial Instruments On The Consolidated Balance Sheets

	Derivatives in a Fair Value Asset Position					Derivatives in a Fair Value Liability Position
	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value as of March 31,				Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value as of March 31,
		2013		2012			2013		2012
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
Interest rate swap agreements designated as fair value hedges	Other non-current assets	$	—	$	—	Long-term obligations	$	—	$	—
Interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges	Other non-current assets	—		—		Other long-term liabilities	1,679		1,119
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges	Other current assets	—		83		Accounts payable and accrued expenses	810		925
Total		$	—	$	83		$	2,489	$	2,044
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts	Other current assets	$	—	$	273	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	331	$	427
Total		$	—	$	273		$	331	$	427