Unaudited Quarterly Financial Data (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Restructuring costs			$ 3,700		$ 1,400		$ 3,000	$ 6,900	$ 4,113	$ 11,661	$ 11,791
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	26,102	35,542	47,981	23,125	25,755	58,453	(8,039)	15,888	132,750	92,057	156,565
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.92	$ 1.25	$ 1.68	$ 0.81	$ 0.91	$ 2.06	$ (0.51)	$ 0.52	$ 4.66	$ 3.25	$ 5.42
Charge Recorded To Accrue European Commission Fines							49,100		0	49,091	(7,445)
Gain on property and equipment fire loss insurance settlement								9,600	0	9,592	0
Gain on the sale of land and buildings						11,100			3,534	18,366	5,575
Universal Corporation And Deltafina [Member]
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation							(46,200)
Diluted earnings per share							$ (1.85)
Restructuring Charges [Member]
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation			(1,500)				(1,900)	(4,400)
Diluted earnings per share			$ (0.05)				$ (0.08)	$ (0.19)
Restructuring Charges And Impairment Costs [Member]
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation					(900)
Diluted earnings per share					$ (0.03)
Insurance Settlement [Member]
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation								6,200
Diluted earnings per share								$ 0.27
Land And Building [Member]
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation						7,200
Diluted earnings per share						$ 0.25
Employee Termination Benefits [Member]
Restructuring costs								3,800	4,113	8,564	11,155
Exit Costs [Member]
Restructuring costs								$ 3,100