Operating Segments (Operating Results For The Company's Reportable Segments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and Other Operating Revenues		$ 2,461,699	$ 2,446,877	$ 2,571,527
Operating Income		223,009	180,304	254,600
Equity in pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates		(5,635)	(3,195)	(8,634)
Restructuring and impairment costs		(4,113)	(11,661)	(21,504)
Charge for (reversal of) European Commission fines in Italy and Spain	49,100	0	49,091	(7,445)
Other income		0	20,703	19,368
Segment Assets		2,306,155	2,266,919	2,227,867
Goodwill		98,380	98,277	98,256
Depreciation and Amortization		45,116	43,866	45,272
Capital Expenditures		30,783	38,174	39,129
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and Other Operating Revenues		2,461,699	2,446,877	2,571,527
Operating Income		232,757	223,548	257,925
Flue-Cured And Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and Other Operating Revenues		2,206,556	2,207,636	2,284,776
Operating Income		212,296	210,707	229,267
Segment Assets		1,978,366	1,969,516	1,902,508
Goodwill		96,667	96,564	96,543
Depreciation and Amortization		41,135	39,676	40,407
Capital Expenditures		27,345	32,497	37,404
Flue-Cured And Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations [Member] | North America [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and Other Operating Revenues		334,676	314,248	340,366
Operating Income		19,740	30,037	59,278
Segment Assets		295,785	256,546	289,950
Goodwill		0	0	0
Depreciation and Amortization		11,017	10,201	11,866
Capital Expenditures		2,459	438	3,080
Flue-Cured And Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations [Member] | Other Regions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and Other Operating Revenues		1,871,880	1,893,388	1,944,410
Operating Income		192,556	180,670	169,989
Segment Assets		1,682,581	1,712,970	1,612,558
Goodwill		96,667	96,564	96,543
Depreciation and Amortization		30,118	29,475	28,541
Capital Expenditures		24,886	32,059	34,324
Other Tobacco Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and Other Operating Revenues		255,143	239,241	286,751
Operating Income		20,461	12,841	28,658
Segment Assets		327,789	297,403	325,359
Goodwill		1,713	1,713	1,713
Depreciation and Amortization		3,981	4,190	4,865
Capital Expenditures		$ 3,438	$ 5,677	$ 1,725