Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		6 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2016
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		$ (73,579)	$ (71,657)	$ (72,350)
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Foreign currency translation: [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year		(26,992)	(31,138)
Net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation, net of income taxes		(2,319)	2,147
Less: Net loss on foreign currency translation attributable to noncontrolling interests		444	426
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		(1,875)	2,573
Balance at end of period		(28,867)	(28,565)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Taxes on net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation		1,249	(1,155)
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		675	(1,834)
Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of income taxes		(107)	1,629
Reclassifications to earnings, net of income taxes	[1]	(351)	(166)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		(458)	1,463
Balance at end of period		217	(371)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Taxes on net gain (loss) on derivative instruments		58	(878)
Taxes on reclassifications to net income		189	90
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		(6,997)	(1,982)
Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net of income taxes		(1,556)	(3,937)
Reclassifications to earnings, net of income taxes	[2]	1,397	1,740
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		(159)	(2,197)
Balance at end of period		(7,156)	(4,179)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Taxes on net gain (loss) on derivative instruments		837	2,120
Taxes on reclassifications to net income		(752)	(936)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Pension and other postretirement benefit plan: [Abstract]
Balance at beginning of year		(39,036)	(40,040)
Amortization included in earnings, net of income taxes	[3]	1,263	1,498
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes		1,263	1,498
Balance at end of period		(37,773)	(38,542)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax [Abstract]
Taxes on amortization included in net income		$ (680)	$ (844)

[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 underlying 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.