Consolidated Statements Of Income And Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]
Sales and other operating revenues	$ 464,116		$ 650,869		$ 735,588		$ 1,084,397
Costs and Expenses
Cost of goods sold	379,045		531,557		594,977		893,617
Selling, general and administrative expenses	59,809		68,455		123,586		135,074
Other income	0	[1]	0	[1]	0	[1]	(81,619)	[1]
Restructuring costs	3,350	[2]	1,308	[2]	3,350	[2]	1,308	[2]
Operating income	21,912		49,549		13,675		136,017
Equity in pretax earnings (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates	3,317	[3]	(1,563)	[3]	3,918	[3]	(34)	[3]
Interest income	67		143		210		404
Interest expense	4,852		6,160		8,872		11,466
Income before income taxes	20,444		41,969		8,931		124,921
Income taxes	4,960		12,139		(7,078)		41,178
Net income	15,484		29,830		16,009		83,743
Less: net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	(459)		(4,386)		(267)		10
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	15,025		25,444		15,742		83,753
Dividends on Universal Corporation convertible perpetual preferred stock	(3,713)		(3,713)		(7,425)		(7,425)
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders	11,312		21,731		8,317		76,328
Earnings per share attributable to Universal Corporation common shareholders:
Basic	$ 0.49		$ 0.94		$ 0.36		$ 3.28
Diluted	$ 0.48		$ 0.90		$ 0.35		$ 2.95
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	23,178,082		23,207,043		23,200,589		23,261,604
Diluted	23,508,427		28,336,545		23,521,571		28,400,666
Total comprehensive income:
Total comprehensive income, net of income taxes	4,954		61,024		6,303		116,441
Less: comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of income taxes	(178)		(4,375)		(230)		347
Comprehensive income attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes	$ 4,776		$ 56,649		$ 6,073		$ 116,788
Dividends declared per common share	$ 0.51		$ 0.50		$ 1.02		$ 1.00

[1] Other income represents the gain on the favorable outcome of the IPI tax credit case in Brazil. This item is excluded from segment operating income, but is included in consolidated operating income in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

[2] Restructuring costs are excluded from segment operating income, but are included in consolidated operating income in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

[3] Equity in pretax (earnings) loss of unconsolidated affiliates is included in segment operating income (Other Tobacco Operations segment), but is reported below consolidated operating income and excluded from that total in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.