Consolidated Statements Of Income And Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	$ 433,528		$ 461,391
Costs and Expenses
Cost of goods sold	362,060		369,361
Selling, general and administrative expenses	66,619		49,203
Other income	(81,619)		0
Operating income	86,468		42,827
Equity in pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	1,529	[1]	1,369	[1]
Interest income	261		157
Interest expense	5,306		6,170
Income before income taxes and other items	82,952		38,183
Income taxes	29,039		12,950
Net income	53,913		25,233
Less: net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	4,396		(2,108)
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	58,309		23,125
Dividends on Universal Corporation convertible perpetual preferred stock	(3,712)		(3,712)
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders	54,597		19,413
Earnings per share attributable to Universal Corporation common shareholders:
Basic	$ 2.34		$ 0.83
Diluted	$ 2.05		$ 0.81
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	23,317		23,297
Diluted	28,465		28,391
Total comprehensive income:
Total comprehensive income, net of income taxes	55,417		15,454
Less: comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of income taxes	4,722		(2,197)
Comprehensive income attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes	$ 60,139		$ 13,257
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.50		$ 0.49

[1] Item is included in segment operating income, but is not included in consolidated operating income.