Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 124,469	$ 367,864	$ 207,393
Accounts receivable, net	259,613	401,747	292,633
Advances to suppliers, net	64,721	132,100	78,260
Accounts receivable - unconsolidated affiliates	62,040	555	59,858
Inventories - at lower of cost or market:
Tobacco	1,078,040	623,377	962,347
Other	63,425	57,745	61,162
Prepaid income taxes	18,649	6,245	17,921
Deferred income taxes	37,494	32,127	51,967
Other current assets	126,202	124,213	65,610
Total current assets	1,834,653	1,745,973	1,797,151
Property, plant and equipment
Land	17,187	17,125	17,059
Buildings	235,506	234,694	228,191
Machinery and equipment	553,752	545,478	539,310
Total property, plant and equipment	806,445	797,297	784,560
Less accumulated depreciation	(519,103)	(509,829)	(486,925)
Property, plant and equipment, net	287,342	287,468	297,635
Other assets
Goodwill and other intangibles	99,738	99,048	99,211
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	96,992	94,405	89,189
Deferred income taxes	29,482	23,783	21,219
Other noncurrent assets	88,443	55,478	50,097
Total other assets	314,655	272,714	259,716
Total assets	2,436,650	2,306,155	2,354,502
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Notes payable and overdrafts	133,109	105,318	149,855
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	275,677	225,648	207,526
Accounts payable - unconsolidated affiliates	21	4,739	54
Customer advances and deposits	64,071	24,914	69,371
Accrued compensation	29,627	36,694	29,843
Income taxes payable	18,965	14,034	17,459
Current portion of long-term obligations	212,500	211,250	17,500
Total current liabilities	733,970	622,597	491,608
Long-term obligations	177,500	181,250	390,000
Pensions and other postretirement benefits	132,331	135,629	140,820
Other long-term liabilities	36,261	36,838	85,454
Deferred income taxes	42,083	42,184	40,200
Total liabilities	1,122,145	1,018,498	1,148,082
Shareholders' equity
Common stock, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 23,192,039 shares issued and outstanding (23,356,713 at June 30, 2012, and 23,343,973 at March 31, 2013)	201,557	202,579	196,410
Retained earnings	949,271	918,509	862,480
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(73,710)	(75,540)	(90,229)
Total Universal Corporation shareholders' equity	1,290,141	1,258,571	1,181,684
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	24,364	29,086	24,736
Total shareholders' equity	1,314,505	1,287,657	1,206,420
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,436,650	2,306,155	2,354,502
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock [Member]
Shareholders' equity
Preferred Stock	0	0	0
Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]
Shareholders' equity
Preferred Stock	$ 213,023	$ 213,023	$ 213,023