Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		6 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		$ (71,657)	$ (44,001)	$ (74,994)
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Foreign currency translation: [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year		(31,138)	(8,476)
Net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation, net of income taxes		2,147	(9,138)
Less: Net loss (gain) on foreign currency translation attributable to noncontrolling interests		426	(37)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		2,573	(9,175)
Balance at end of period		(28,565)	(17,651)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Taxes on net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation		(1,155)	4,921
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contract [Member]
Cash flow hedges: [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year		(1,834)	769
Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of income taxes		1,629	(1,060)
Reclassifications to earnings, net of income taxes	[1]	(166)	(715)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		1,463	(1,775)
Balance at end of period		(371)	(1,006)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Taxes on net gain (loss) on derivative instruments		(878)	571
Taxes on reclassifications to net income		90	385
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Cash flow hedges: [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year		(1,982)	(608)
Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of income taxes		(3,937)	(69)
Reclassifications to earnings, net of income taxes	[2]	1,740	263
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		(2,197)	194
Balance at end of period		(4,179)	(414)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Taxes on net gain (loss) on derivative instruments		2,120	38
Taxes on reclassifications to net income		(936)	(142)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Pension and other postretirement benefit plan: [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year		(40,040)	(26,017)
Amortization included in earnings, net of income taxes	[3]	1,498	1,087
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		1,498	1,087
Balance at end of period		(38,542)	(24,930)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Taxes on amortization included in net income		$ (844)	$ (550)

[1] Gain (loss) on foreign currency cash flow hedges related to forecast purchases of tobacco is reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to cost of goods sold when the tobacco is sold to customers. See Note 7 for additional information.

[2] Gain (loss) on interest rate cash flow hedges is reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to interest expense when the related interest payments are made on the debt or upon termination of the interest rate swap agreements prior to their scheduled maturity dates. See Note 7 for additional information.

[3] This accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 9 for additional information.