Operating Segments (Operating Results For The Company's Reportable Segments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and Other Operating Revenues	$ 2,271,801		$ 2,542,115		$ 2,461,699
Operating Income	167,874		246,151		223,009
Equity in pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates	(7,137)	[1]	(3,897)	[1]	(5,635)	[1]
Restructuring and impairment costs	(4,890)	[2]	(6,746)	[2]	(4,113)	[2]
Other income	12,676	[3]	81,619	[3]	0	[3]
Segment Assets	2,198,473		2,270,907		2,306,155
Goodwill	99,085		99,080		98,380
Depreciation and Amortization	37,324		38,899		45,116
Capital Expenditures	58,385		45,849		30,783
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and Other Operating Revenues	2,271,801		2,542,115		2,461,699
Operating Income	167,225		175,175		232,757
Flue-Cured And Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and Other Operating Revenues	2,044,809		2,280,855		2,206,556
Operating Income	156,899		156,664		212,296
Segment Assets	1,900,875		1,954,682		1,978,366
Goodwill	97,372		97,367		96,667
Depreciation and Amortization	33,111		35,062		41,135
Capital Expenditures	45,117		40,260		27,345
Flue-Cured And Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations [Member] | North America [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and Other Operating Revenues	305,028		348,627		334,676
Operating Income	31,060		23,217		19,740
Segment Assets	289,792		277,028		295,785
Goodwill	0		0		0
Depreciation and Amortization	4,284		6,018		11,017
Capital Expenditures	5,814		2,676		2,459
Flue-Cured And Burley Leaf Tobacco Operations [Member] | Other Regions [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and Other Operating Revenues	1,739,781	[4]	1,932,228	[4]	1,871,880	[4]
Operating Income	125,839	[4]	133,447	[4]	192,556	[4]
Segment Assets	1,611,083	[4]	1,677,654	[4]	1,682,581	[4]
Goodwill	97,372	[4]	97,367	[4]	96,667	[4]
Depreciation and Amortization	28,827	[4]	29,044	[4]	30,118	[4]
Capital Expenditures	39,303	[4]	37,584	[4]	24,886	[4]
Other Tobacco Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and Other Operating Revenues	226,992	[5]	261,260	[5]	255,143	[5]
Operating Income	10,326	[5]	18,511	[5]	20,461	[5]
Segment Assets	297,598	[5]	316,225	[5]	327,789	[5]
Goodwill	1,713	[5]	1,713	[5]	1,713	[5]
Depreciation and Amortization	4,213	[5]	3,837	[5]	3,981	[5]
Capital Expenditures	$ 13,268	[5]	$ 5,589	[5]	$ 3,438	[5]

[1] Equity in pretax earnings 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.

[2] .

[3] Restructuring costs are excluded from segment operating income, but are included in consolidated operating income in the consolidated statements of income (see Note 2).(5) Other income represents the reversal of a valuation allowance on the remainin

[4] Includes South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia regions, as well as inter-region eliminations.

[5] Includes Dark Air-Cured, Oriental, and Special Services, as well as inter-company eliminations. Sales and other operating revenues, goodwill, depreciation and amortization, and capital expenditures include limited amounts or no amounts for Oriental because the business is accounted for on the equity method and its financial results consist principally of equity in the pretax earnings of the unconsolidated affiliate. The investment in the unconsolidated affiliate is included in segment assets and was approximately $74.9 million, $93.3 million, and $91.8 million, at March 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.