Earnings Per Share (Computation Of Basic And Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Numerator for basic earnings per share
Net income attributable to Universal Corporation	$ 22,465	$ 15,025	$ 16,518	$ 15,742
Less: Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock	(3,687)	(3,713)	(7,374)	(7,425)
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders	$ 18,778	$ 11,312	$ 9,144	$ 8,317
Denominator for basic earnings per share
Weighted average shares outstanding	22,675,323	23,178,082	22,649,270	23,200,589
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$ 0.83	$ 0.49	$ 0.40	$ 0.36
Numerator for diluted earnings per share
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders	$ 18,778	$ 11,312	$ 9,144	$ 8,317
Add: Dividends on convertible perpetual preferred stock (if conversion assumed)	3,687	0	0	0
Earnings available to Universal Corporation common shareholders for calculation of diluted earnings per share	$ 22,465	$ 11,312	$ 9,144	$ 8,317
Denominator for diluted earnings per share:
Weighted average shares outstanding	22,675,323	23,178,082	22,649,270	23,200,589
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Conversion of Preferred Stock	4,848,766	0	0	0
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Share-based Payment Arrangements	326,539	330,445	287,361	320,982
Denominator for diluted earnings per share	27,850,628	23,508,527	22,936,631	23,521,571
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.81	$ 0.48	$ 0.40	$ 0.35