Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 248,783	$ 163,532
Accounts receivable, net	434,362	468,015
Advances to suppliers, net	114,883	134,621
Accounts receivable - unconsolidated affiliates	1,907	7,375
Inventories - at lower of cost or market:
Tobacco	636,488	639,812
Other	62,195	67,219
Prepaid income taxes	17,811	27,866
Deferred income taxes	36,611	22,052
Other current assets	81,570	142,755
Total current assets	1,634,610	1,673,247
Property, plant and equipment
Land	16,790	17,275
Buildings	238,372	239,913
Machinery and equipment	576,010	562,597
Total property, plant and equipment	831,172	819,785
Less accumulated depreciation	(525,783)	(523,239)
Property, plant and equipment, net	305,389	296,546
Other assets
Goodwill and other intangibles	99,146	99,453
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	76,512	95,305
Deferred income taxes	6,301	14,562
Other noncurrent assets	76,515	91,794
Total other assets	258,474	301,114
Total assets	2,198,473	2,270,907
Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Notes payable and overdrafts	59,862	62,905
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	140,112	212,422
Accounts payable - unconsolidated affiliates	3,281	65
Customer advances and deposits	30,183	15,869
Accrued compensation	28,232	31,772
Income taxes payable	9,243	15,694
Current portion of long-term obligations	0	116,250
Total current liabilities	270,913	454,977
Long-term obligations	370,000	240,000
Pensions and other postretirement benefits	97,048	85,081
Other long-term liabilities	36,790	34,457
Deferred income taxes	26,628	45,500
Total liabilities	801,379	860,015
Shareholders' equity
Common stock, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 22,593,266 shares issued and outstanding (23,216,312 at March 31, 2014)	206,002	206,446
Retained earnings	1,020,155	993,093
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(74,994)	(34,332)
Total Universal Corporation shareholders' equity	1,362,725	1,378,230
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries	34,369	32,662
Total shareholders' equity	1,397,094	1,410,892
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	2,198,473	2,270,907
Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]
Shareholders' equity
Preferred Stock	211,562	213,023
Total shareholders' equity	$ 211,562	$ 213,023