Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 29,567	$ 163,532	$ 74,631
Accounts receivable, net	290,162	468,015	365,777
Advances to suppliers, net	70,296	134,621	62,013
Accounts receivable - unconsolidated affiliates	98,707	7,375	70,175
Inventories - at lower of cost or market:
Tobacco	1,164,293	639,812	1,037,320
Other	100,516	67,219	80,651
Prepaid income taxes	28,138	27,866	28,004
Deferred income taxes	34,560	22,052	30,751
Other current assets	83,754	142,755	130,721
Total current assets	1,899,993	1,673,247	1,880,043
Property, plant and equipment
Land	17,022	17,275	17,231
Buildings	239,568	239,913	237,923
Machinery and equipment	577,064	562,597	563,615
Total property, plant and equipment	833,654	819,785	818,769
Less: accumulated depreciation	(528,722)	(523,239)	(530,038)
Property, plant and equipment, net	304,932	296,546	288,731
Other assets
Goodwill and other intangibles	99,291	99,453	99,648
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	88,841	95,305	99,362
Deferred income taxes	18,861	14,562	28,026
Other noncurrent assets	68,973	91,794	87,748
Total other assets	275,966	301,114	314,784
Total assets	2,480,891	2,270,907	2,483,558
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Notes payable and overdrafts	359,349	62,905	194,266
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	154,826	212,422	222,226
Accounts payable - unconsolidated affiliates	1,150	65	8
Customer advances and deposits	57,723	15,869	92,871
Accrued compensation	20,272	31,772	22,152
Income taxes payable	11,164	15,694	14,694
Current portion of long-term obligations	118,750	116,250	213,750
Total current liabilities	723,234	454,977	759,967
Long-term obligations	230,000	240,000	173,750
Pensions and other postretirement benefits	74,975	85,081	95,098
Other long-term liabilities	34,567	34,457	35,911
Deferred income taxes	39,235	45,500	59,373
Total liabilities	1,102,011	860,015	1,124,099
Shareholders' equity
Common stock, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 23,183,259 shares issued and outstanding (23,215,946 at September 30, 2013 and 23,216,312 at March 31, 2014)	207,552	206,446	202,844
Retained earnings	971,391	993,093	959,242
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(44,001)	(34,332)	(42,505)
Total Universal Corporation shareholders' equity	1,347,965	1,378,230	1,332,604
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	30,915	32,662	26,855
Total shareholders' equity	1,378,880	1,410,892	1,359,459
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,480,891	2,270,907	2,483,558
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