Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified				3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013 Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member] Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Jun. 30, 2012 Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member] Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contract [Member]		Jun. 30, 2012 Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contract [Member]		Jun. 30, 2013 Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member]		Jun. 30, 2012 Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] Interest Rate Swap [Member]		Jun. 30, 2013 Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]		Jun. 30, 2012 Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Foreign currency translation: [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year				$ (15,555)	$ (11,850)
Net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation, net of income taxes				1,494	(5,218)	(326)	89
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes				1,820	(5,307)
Balance at end of period				(13,735)	(17,157)
Cash flow hedges: [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year								(855)		(942)		(1,091)		(727)
Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of income taxes								(1,811)		(6,293)		201		(578)
Reclassifications to earnings, net of income taxes								70	[1]	483	[1]	148	[2]	149	[2]
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes								(1,741)		(5,810)		349		(429)
Balance at end of period								(2,596)		(6,752)		(742)		(1,156)
Pension and other postretirement benefit plan: [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year																(58,039)		(66,842)
Amortization included in earnings, net of income taxes																1,402	[3]	1,678	[3]
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes																1,402		1,678
Balance at end of period																(56,637)		(65,164)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Taxes on net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation				805	(2,810)
Taxes on net gain (loss) on derivative instruments								(976)		(3,389)		109		(311)
Taxes on reclassifications to earnings								(38)		(260)		(79)		(80)
Taxes on amortization included in earnings																(755)		(904)
Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at end of period	$ (73,710)	$ (75,540)	$ (90,229)

[1] Gain (loss) on foreign currency cash flow hedges is reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to cost of goods sold when the related tobacco is sold to customers. See Note 6 for additional information.

[2] Gain (loss) on interest rate cash flow hedges is reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to interest expense when the related interest payments are made on the debt. See Note 6 for additional information.

[3] This accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 8 for additional information.