Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 367,864	$ 261,699
Accounts receivable, net	401,747	390,790
Advances to suppliers, net	132,100	135,317
Accounts receivable - unconsolidated affiliates	555	7,370
Inventories - at lower of cost or market:
Tobacco	623,377	682,095
Other	57,745	53,197
Prepaid income taxes	6,245	20,819
Deferred income taxes	32,127	51,025
Other current assets	124,213	88,317
Total current assets	1,745,973	1,690,629
Property, plant and equipment
Land	17,125	17,087
Buildings	234,694	228,982
Machinery and equipment	545,478	537,031
Total property, plant and equipment	797,297	783,100
Less accumulated depreciation	(509,829)	(479,908)
Property, plant and equipment, net	287,468	303,192
Other assets
Goodwill and other intangibles	99,048	99,266
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	94,405	93,312
Deferred income taxes	23,783	23,634
Other noncurrent assets	55,478	56,886
Total other assets	272,714	273,098
Total assets	2,306,155	2,266,919
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Notes payable and overdrafts	105,318	128,016
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	225,648	187,790
Accounts payable - unconsolidated affiliates	4,739	295
Customer advances and deposits	24,914	16,832
Accrued compensation	36,694	30,659
Income taxes payable	14,034	12,866
Current portion of long-term obligations	211,250	16,250
Total current liabilities	622,597	392,708
Long-term obligations	181,250	392,500
Pensions and other postretirement benefits	135,629	140,529
Other long-term liabilities	36,838	90,609
Deferred income taxes	42,184	44,583
Total liabilities	1,018,498	1,060,929
Shareholders' equity
Common stock, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 23,343,973 shares issued and outstanding (23,257,175 at March 31, 2012)	202,579	196,135
Retained earnings	918,509	854,654
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(75,540)	(80,361)
Total Universal Corporation shareholders' equity	1,258,571	1,183,451
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	29,086	22,539
Total shareholders' equity	1,287,657	1,205,990
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,306,155	2,266,919
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock [Member]
Shareholders' equity
Preferred Stock
Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]
Shareholders' equity
Preferred Stock	213,023	213,023
Total shareholders' equity	$ 213,023	$ 213,023